To address the measles outbreak reported in several parts of the country, the Department of Health (DOH) will conduct a door-to-door immunization program against measles and German measles beginning April. The DOH aims to vaccinate over 18 million Filipino children, aged 9 months to 8 years old, against measles and German measles. Local health workers will visit houses from April 4 to May 4 to immunize eligible children. In 2010, measles outbreaks had been reported in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan and Zamboanga del Norte. Data from January-February 2011 also show that over 1,000 cases of measles were reported in 20 provinces, including: LUZON
Ilocos Norte La Union Pangasinan Nueva Ecija Zambales Batangas Quezon Camarines Sur; and Metro Manila VISAYAS Capiz Iloilo Southern Leyte; and Samar MINDANAO Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga del Norte Misamis Occidental Davao Sur Davao del Norte Davao Oriental South Cotabato; and Agusan Norte. The number of confirmed measles cases has significantly increased in the last three years, from 453 cases in 2007 to 1,418 cases in 2010. More than 70 percent of these cases were among children who had not been vaccinated against the illness. In the past two years, 66 children have died from measles. In a recent press conference on Monday, World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Dr. Soe Nyunt-U said the Philippines is one of six Asian countries that still experience measles outbreaks. The other five are China, Laos, Vietnam, Japan and Cambodia. Soe said the DOH's program is essential, especially in densely populated countries like the Philippines, because measles is highly contagious. Measles is caused by a virus, which can be spread by contact with droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of an infected person. Coughing and sneezing can also put contaminated droplets into the air. DOH said it only costs P67 to protect a child from measles and rubella, much cheaper than the cost of treating a child with measles, which can be as much as P15,000. In addition, the WHO assured that the combined measles-rubella vaccine is not only inexpensive but also safe and effective. Despite the availability of vaccine that protects one from contracting the illness, measles remains one of the leading causes of death among children globally. WHO data show that targeted vaccination campaigns significantly decrease measles deaths by up to 70 percent. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News 
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