Philippines measles outbreak tops 40,000, prompts warnings in the US, Australia
The number of measles cases in the Philippines continues to rise according to data from the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WHO-WPR) and countries like the United States and Australia warn the public about travel to the archipelago.
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According to the WPR, the number of cases as of the end of April is now at 40,657 (31,508 suspected and 9,149 confirmed), up 8,627 cases from the end of March 2014.
Governmental health bodies in the United States and Australia have put out specific warning concerning traveling to the Philippines and the measles risk. In the US, measles are at a 20 year high and assistant surgeon general and director of CDC’s National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, Dr. Anne Schuchat said, “Many of the clusters in the U.S. began following travel to the Philippines where a large outbreak has been occurring since October 2013.”
Last week, the CDC updated their travel notice concerning the Philippines and the prevention of measles. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page.
In addition, in Australia, NSW health officials are warning travelers to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines to “ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations before they travel”. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, in Australia, 41 per cent of cases in 2014 have been imported from overseas, mostly from the Philippines.
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