CENTRAL Luzon has been included among the areas placed by the Department of Health (DOH) under the red flag for measles.
The DOH in Central Luzon recorded 192 suspected cases of measles compared to the 32 cases in 2018.
The DOH on Thursday, February 7, said it was “expanding” the declaration of the measles outbreak to Central Luzon and other regions in Luzon and the Visayas.
The DOH earlier warned that 2.4 million unvaccinated children are at risk of contracting this highly infectious disease.
On January 29, Duterte encouraged Filipinos to get immunized against other diseases, saying parents should not be complacent when it comes to protecting their children from exposure to health hazards.
Measles, caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract, can be contracted through direct contact and from the air.
Its complications include severe diarrhea, pneumonia, blindness, and even death, according to the DOH.
Symptoms include fever, reddening of the eyes, cough and colds, and red rashes, the agency added.