BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DOH-CAR) reported that measles rubella cases in the region increased by one hundred percent for the first five weeks of the year compared to the similar cases that were recorded during the previous year.
Victoria Malicdan, Nurse V of the DOH-CAR’s regional epidemiology and surveillance unit, said that from January 1 to February 1, 2025, there were already 12 measles rubella cases that were reported from the different parts of the region compared to the only six cases that were recorded during the same period last year.
Benguet had the heist number of measles rubella cases with 4 followed by Abra and Apayao with 2 cases and Baguio, Mountain Province and Kalinga – 1 case each while Ifugao had no case to date.
Last year, Benguet also recorded the highest measles rubella cases with 3 followed by Baguio City with 2 cases and Kalinga – 1 case. Ifugao, Abra, Apayao and Mountain province and no measles rubella cases during the first five weeks of 2024.
Malicadan said that the age range of the cases is from seven months to 52 years old where six of the cases tested negative of measles or rubella.
Further 10 of the reported cases or 83 percent are males while the rest of the cases are females.
However, there were no measles rubella-related deaths that were reported during the two reckoning periods.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
Rubella is a contagious viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults. The virus is the leading vaccine-preventable cause of birth defects. Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause fetal death or congenital defects known as congenital rubella syndrome.
Among the signs and symptoms of measles rubella are Low-grade fever, Headache, Mild pink eye (redness or swelling of the white of the eye), General discomfort, Swollen and enlarged lymph nodes, Cough and Runny nose.
On the other hand, most children and adults who get rubella usually have mild illness with a rash starting on the face. Up to 70% of women who get rubella may experience arthritis.
The most serious complication from rubella infection is the harm it can cause a developing baby. By Dexter A. See
