A total of 450 cases of measles and rubella were recorded from January 1 to September 17, 2022, which was 153% higher than 2021, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday.
Based on the DOH’s national measles and rubella data as of September 17, there were only 178 cases logged from January 1 to September 17, 2021.
The department said two deaths have been reported in these cases, each occurring in August and September. Thirty-six cases were classified as laboratory confirmed measles, while 37 cases were tagged as laboratory confirmed rubella, according to DOH.
Most measles and rubella cases were recorded in the following regions:
- Calabarzon: 70
- Central Visayas: 61
- Metro Manila: 47
Meanwhile, 68 cases were recorded in the most recent period (August 21 to September 17, 2022), with the following regions registering the highest number of infections:
- Calabarzon: 16
- Eastern Visayas: 12
- Central Visayas: 7
- Northern Mindanao: 7
- Metro Manila: 7
The DOH said Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen showed measles and rubella case increases in the recent four morbidity weeks or on August 21 to September 17.
Measles clusters were also reported in Cagayan Valley, and Zamboanga Peninsula. They were specifically logged in Barangay Caranglaan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and Barangay Balangasan, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
