Measles-rubella cases rose by 32% last year
Cases of measles and rubella in the country have risen to 5,123 from January to December last year, which is 32-percent higher than the 3,880 cases reported in 2024, according to the most recent data of the Department of Health (DOH).
The agency said over the weekend that more than half, or 2,567, of the reported cases involved children below 5 years old and as young as 6 months old. The majority of the cases, or 73 percent, have not been vaccinated against measles.
The latest report from the DOH shows that 405 cases were added in December alone. The agency previously said there were 4,718 cases of measles and rubella from January to November last year.
With the uptick in cases, the DOH urged parents to bring their children to the nearest health center and have them vaccinated against measles and rubella.
The agency will also be conducting a nationwide immunization program with the goal of vaccinating 11 million Filipino children, starting with Mindanao, where regions with the highest incidence rate, or the number of new cases in a certain population and period, of measles and rubella are located.
Most cases
These regions are Zamboanga Peninsula, northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The vaccination program, called “Ligtas-Tigdas,” will begin in Mindanao and BARMM on Jan. 19, and later in Luzon and Visayas around June.
The DOH said it aims to vaccinate 2.8 million children in Mindanao, 5.6 million in Luzon and 1.9 million in Visayas.
Measles and rubella are both highly contagious viral infections, caused by different viruses with distinct characteristics. Measles is caused by the rubeola virus, while rubella is caused by the rubella virus. Both diseases can be prevented through vaccination.
