Manila hospital swamped with measles patients

Measles cases are up in the Philippines and in the National Capital Region (NCR), as previously reported here. In fact, things have got so bad at one Manila hospital that more than half the avialbale beds are filled with measles patients.

Image/CIA

GMA News reports today that San Lazaro hospital is reporting that 261 of the 500 beds are filled with measles patients with one ward resorting to patients sharing beds.

The measles outbreak, which hit the archipelago last October, has resulted in more than 1,724 cases and 21 fatalities. Of that total 43 percent are from the NCR.

On Thursday, Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Eric Tayag, tweeted a slew of information on measles and the importance of getting vaccinated.

Southern Luzon with 436 cases and Western Visayas with 282 round out the top three regions.

Measles or rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease that is characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.

The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include; seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.

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