Olongapo City declares measles outbreak, Philippines 2013 total is 2,232 cases
The Olongapo City government declared a measles outbreak after recording 80 cases for the first two weeks of 2014, according to a ABS-CBN report Saturday.
According to the report, “We unanimously approved the resolution declaring the measles outbreak to facilitate holistic and swift responsive actions to protect the health, welfare and well-being of the people of Olongapo as well our neighbor communities,“ City Councilor Noel Atienza told The STAR.
“Eighty patients with suspected measles cases (are being) treated at our hospital, with one confirmed death since Jan. 1, and more patients with suspected viral infectious disease are continuously arriving,” Jessie Manuel, administrator of James L. Gordon Hospital, told The STAR.
“We are giving patients strong dozes of antibiotics to address complications such as pneumonia, and patients have been placed in an isolated area to prevent the spread of the viral infectious disease,” he added.
The vast majority of cases were seen in children under five years of age.
The Philippines Department of Health also released the total measles count for 2013 last week.
According to a tweet from Dr. Eric Tayag, Assistant Health Secretary, “Jan 1-Dec 31,2013: Total of 2,232 confirmed cases w/ 55 deaths; Top 3: NCR 1,051 Reg IV-A 526 Reg VI 306”.
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