The Department of Health yesterday reported 11,459 measles cases, including 189 deaths, nationwide as of Feb. 20.
The region with the highest number of cases is National Capital Region with 2,936, followed by Region 4-A with 2,635; Central Luzon with 1,643; Western Visayas with 576; and Northern Mindanao with 572.
“We are not seeing any signs of slowing down yet as many cases are still being reported as of now,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III during a press briefing at the DoH-Central office in Manila.
“We are hoping and praying for the end of this…We are looking at first week of April a reversal of the outbreak trend,” he added.
The Health chief said that there is also a recommendation to declare measles outbreak in some municipalities in Cagayan Valley (Region 2).
“We are seeing pockets of cases that are concerning for us, percentage wise. But in actual numbers, It is still actually low,” said Duque.
Data showed 82 cases of measles with one death were reported in Cagayan Valley as of Feb. 20. During the same period last year, only six cases were recorded. (Analou de Vera)
