NEGROS Occidental has the most number of measles cases in Western Visayas per record of the regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) for the first two months of 2019.

The record shows that from January 1 to March 3, there is an increase of 1,773% in the total number of measles cases in Western Visayas which is 918 compared to only 49 cases on the same period in 2018.

Negros Occidental has also recorded three deaths while Antique has one death.

Of the 918 new cases, there are 324 cases reported in Negros Occidental; Antique - 196; Iloilo Province - 119; Bacolod City - 116; Aklan - 55; Iloilo City - 43, Capiz - 31, Guimaras - 5, and others - 12.

Dr. Mary Jane Juanico of the Health Development Department of DOH in Western Visayas said that they are conducting a daily monitoring of the measles cases all over Western Visayas after an outbreak was reported.

She also said that not less than ten cases of measles are recorded every day.

Massive Supplemental vaccination has been conducted all over and that children from six to 59 months are immediately vaccinated to stop the spread of measles.

The DOH has been encouraging mothers to immediately bring their child to the clinic when they have fever.

Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, Negros Occidental provincial health officer, said that massive vaccination has been conducted in the province and that they have been encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated.

He said that the Dengvaxia controversy may have caused fear to the parents on vaccination which could be one of the factors of the measles outbreak.