Measles in the Philippines (Update)

09 Jul 2014

The measles outbreak in the Philippines is ongoing. Between 1 January and 20 June 2014, a total of 36 493 suspected cases have been reported, of those, 10 676 have been confirmed as measles. Seventy seven measles related deaths have been registered. The majority of cases have been identified in Metropolitan Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

Measles has been imported by travellers returning from the Philippines to Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and United States.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.