ExPat Philly

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported the decreasing number of measles and pertussis cases in the Philippines.

Since the start of the year until May 11, the DOH recorded 2,552 measles-rubella (MR) cases.

The MR case count on April 14 to April 27 was at 408, or 8 percent lower than the 442 on March 31 to April 13.

The MR epidemic curve is showing signs of decrease and only five deaths have been reported, according to the DOH.

“Halfway through the second quarter of 2024, the DOH delivers on its commitment to stem the transmission of measles and pertussis cases,” it said in a statement.

“Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, on orders of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., continues to secure population health through intensified vaccination campaigns with local governments, primary care doctors, and allied health workers,” it added.

In addition, no region has reported a continuous increase of MR cases during DOH’s recent six-week monitoring.

Children under 10 years of age have been most at-risk for MR, making up 83 percent (2,114) of the total number of cases.

The DOH said the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, through its Ministry of Health (MOH), has been its lead partner in bringing the MR cases down.

While the Bangsamoro recorded the most cases at 1,196, the outbreak response immunization (ORI) spearheaded by the Bangsamoro MOH has resulted in 65 percent lower case count in the region, comparing April 28 to May 11 with April 14 to April 27.

“DOH and the Bangsamoro MOH continue to deploy catch-up immunization and ORI according to the specific Bangsamoro areas where MR cases are still being found,” the DOH said.

The decline in pertussis cases was also monitored by the DOH as it noted no continuous increase in any region during the recent six-week period.

DOH data as of May 11 showed a total of 2,521 pertussis cases reported since the start of the year.

The nationwide pertussis epidemic curve showed a continuous decrease, with new cases from April 14 to 27 pegged at 375, or at least 25 percent lower than the 499 cases recorded from March 31 to April 13.

The death toll from pertussis, on the other hand, is 96.

The DOH is waiting for more than a million doses of pentavalent vaccines coming in the third quarter of 2024. They prevent against diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza type B and hepatitis B.