The Department of Health (DOH) is urging parents to have their children vaccinated against measles following what health authorities said was an alarming surge (3,671 percent) in the number of measles cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mindanao. On Monday, health officials launched in Parañaque City a monthlong campaign, National Ligtas Tigdas Supplemental Immunization Activity, following the spike in transmission of measles among children and pregnant women. Citing data from the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said 5,450 measles cases had been reported from January to April this year, with 905 of these confirmed. ADVERTISEMENT15 fatal casesThis was 3,671 percent higher compared to the figure last year, which was only 24 confirmed cases. The vaccination campaign was set for April 24 to May 24 in NCR and May 9 to June 8 in six regions in Mindanao.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 24, 2018 22:30 UTC