DOH intensifies immunization drive to curb spread of measles

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Department of Health in Central Visayas is urging the public to report suspected cases of measles to the nearest health office in their community.

“We are requesting stakeholders, partners, and even communities to report any suspected cases. Information dissemination should not be limited to health care professionals but must reach down to the smallest units of the community,” said Ruff Vincent Valdivieso, a nurse at the Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-CVCHD).

Valdivieso said that among the Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in the country, DOH is focusing on measles as it is the most contagious.

“Among all the other VPDs, we are focused more on measles. Measles is the most contagious among the VPDs. So, kung ma-stop nato ang pinakapaspas mo-transmit, mahinay pud nato ang transmission sa other VPDs,” he said.

(If we can stop the fastest-spreading one, we can also slow down the transmission of the other VPDs.)

A single infected person can transmit measles to up to 12 to 18 individuals, Valdivieso said.

Most contagious

DOH records show that measles remains one of the most contagious diseases in the country, with the highest number of cases recorded in Regions 6 and 8 from Jan. 1 to Feb. 8, 2025.

The DOH also noted a continued increase in measles cases over the past four weeks in Regions 1, MIMAROPA, National Capital Region, 6, 11, and 12.

Valdivieso said DOH is conducting a catch-up immunization campaign in the said areas to help reduce the number of cases.

Based on the Measles National Trend Morbidity Report as of Feb. 8, 2025, there were 498 recorded cases of measles and rubella, a 31 percent jump from the 380 cases reported in the same period in 2024.

Most of the affected children are below five years old and are either unvaccinated or have incomplete vaccination.

Valdivieso also attributed the increase in cases to infants under nine months of age—who are not yet eligible for vaccination—but contracted measles from unvaccinated adults or children.

The Fully Immunized Child (FIC) rate in Central Visayas remains at 62.85 percent, which is below the 95 percent of the national target.

To curb the spread of VPDs, DOH has intensified its nationwide measles-containing vaccine immunization campaign, targeting zero-dose and missed-dose children. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)

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