Measles in the Philippines (Update)

19 Mar 2014

The Department of Health, National Epidemiological Centre in the Philippines has published details of the ongoing measles outbreak in the Disease Surveillance Report. for the week February 9-15 2014.

Between 1 January and 15 February 2014, a total of 15 683 suspected cases of measles was recorded. Of those, 3434 have been laboratory confirmed. The highest number of confirmed cases have been reported from: the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) (60%), Calabarzon Region (25%) and Central Luzon Region (8%).

 Advice for Travellers

Measles has been reported in travellers returning from the Philippines recently in several countries: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the US and the UK.

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.