MEASLES cases in Davao City continue to decline by 45 percent for the period January to April, 2019 compared to the same period last year, Davao City Health Office said.
From January to April 25 this year, measles cases dropped to 306 from 560 in the same period last year. Those who died due to measles dropped to seven from 19.
Talomo North district recorded the most number of cases with 42 followed by Talomo Central with 40 and Agdao with 37. Bunawan District has the most number of deaths with four, while Calinan, Talomo Central and Talomo North each recorded one death.
Davao City, however, continues to have the most number of cases in the region, while Davao Occidental has the least with 18 cases.
Although no deaths were recorded from last year until now, Davao del Sur has the largest percentage of measles cases with an increase of 177 percent, from 31 cases last year to 86 cases this year.
Overall, the region has a total of 774 measles cases reported this year with 11 deaths, a 25 percent decline from last year's 1,034 with 24 deaths.
Department of Health 11 (DOH) Director Annabelle Yumang attributed the efforts of the government in lowering the measles cases in the city.
"Gipadayon gyud namo ang pagbakuna (sa mga bata). Gapangita gihapon mi kinsa wala pa gipabakunahan (We continuously conduct our vaccination to children, especially those who were not yet vaccinated)," Yumang said.
She said the immunization is focused especially on children aged 6 months to 15 months old.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the measles outbreak nationwide is almost over however, other areas such as the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, where the highest incidence of measles was recorded, are still under outbreak status.