BACOLOD City – The Provincial Health Office in Negros Occidental has recorded a total of 772 measles cases since the beginning of 2019.
The latest PHO surveillance report showed a 1,695-percent increase from Jan. 1 to June 15 this year, 43 cases higher than 729 in the same period last year.
The report also showed that there were five deaths due to measles – two in Escalante City and one each in the cities of Bago, Sagay and Talisay.
Fifty-seven percent of the 772 cases involved unvaccinated patients, most of whom were one- to four-year-olds, the report added.
Out of the 31 towns and cities in Negros Occidental, San Carlos City posted the highest number with 93 measles cases.
The Calatrava town closely followed with 92 cases.
Other towns and cities with recorded measles cases include Cadiz City, 48; Bago City, 42; Victorias City, 39; Moises Padilla, 37; Kabankalan City and Toboso, 32 each; Himamaylan City, 31; Sagay City, 29; Sipalay City, 28; Isabela, 24; Don Salvador Benedicto, 23; Murcia, 22; Pulupandan, 20; Silay City, 19; Cauayan, 17; Hinigaran, Hinoba-an, and La Carlota City, 16 each; Talisay City, 14; Escalante City, 13; Pontevedra, 11; Candoni, 10; San Enrique and La Castellana, nine each; Manapla, seven; E.B. Magalona, Binalbagan, and Ilog, six each; and Valladolid, five.
The report added that of the total cases, 68 were laboratory confirmed as measles while two cases were confirmed as rubella.
Of the 68 confirmed measles cases, eight were in San Carlos City and six each in Calatrava, Kabankalan City and Sagay City.
Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, earlier said the provincial government has strengthened its immunization program to address the cases.
The PHO continues to conduct a supplemental immunization activity, he added. (With a report from PNA/PN)
