The number of measles cases in the Philippines has increased by nearly 7,000 since the last update one month ago. According to data from the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region (WHO-WPR) June 2014, the Philippines has seen 36,493 suspected cases and 10,676 confirmed measles cases bringing the total to 47,169.

Image/ Philippines DOH Facebook
Image/ Philippines DOH Facebook

The number of measles fatalities increased by seven from 70 to 77 total deaths.

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel notice for the Philippines due to the measles outbreak was released on June 30. The notice states that most cases are in people from Metropolitan Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

However, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States have reported cases in travelers returning from the Philippines. As of June 27, 23 US travelers who returned from the Philippines have become sick with measles. Most of these cases were among unvaccinated people. The World Health Organization and the Philippines Department of Health are working to control the outbreak, including conducting vaccination campaigns.

CDC recommends that travelers to the Philippines protect themselves by making sure they are vaccinated against measles, particularly infants 6–11 months of age (1 dose of measles vaccine) and children 12 months of age or older (2 doses of measles vaccine). Clinicians should keep measles in mind when treating patients with fever and rash, especially if the patient has recently traveled internationally.

Measles or rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease that is characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.

The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include; seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page