Philippines: Davao City declares measles outbreak
After reporting 230 measles cases during the past three months, the Davao City Health Office has declared a measles outbreak, according to an ABS-CBN report today.
According to Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, Davao City Health Officer, they already consider it as an outbreak since a single case can affect 18 more people.
In 2013, the archipelago recorded 2,232 confirmed cases w/ 55 deaths, according to a tweet by Dr. Eric Tayag, Assistant Health Secretary.
The Philippines as a whole has seen serious increases in measles in 2014 with multiple regions and cities declaring outbreaks.
Measles cases and outbreaks in the United States, Australia and Canada have been linked to travelers returning from the Philippines.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus of the same name.
Measles spreads through the air by breathing, coughing or sneezing. It is so contagious that any child who is exposed to it and is not immune will probably get the disease.
Measles, or rubeola causes fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body.
There can be complication from measles–ear infections, pneumonia and encephalitis. For about one or two out of 1,000 people that contract it, it turns out to be fatal.
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