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AT SAN LAZARO HOSPITAL

Deaths from measles climb to 50; over 200 still being treated


The number of patients dying from measles while being treated at the San Lazaro Hospital has risen to 50, with three additional deaths recorded on Monday.

A report on GMA News TV's Quick Response Team also said that over 200 patients suffering from measles are currently being treated at the hospital in Manila as of Tuesday moring.

"As of this morning po ang number of cases admitted sa pedia wards po, tatlong pedia wards po ito plus spill over of cases po meron kaming 248... hindi lang po mga bata ang nagkakatigdas may 21 patients po, adults po na na-admit din po sa amin," Dr. Ferdinand de Guzman, spokeperson for the hospital, said in an interview.

The three deaths, all children, were in addition to the reported deaths of 47 other kids aged three and below last week.

"Sa dami po ng cases na admitted since last year, halos lahat po walang bakuna and the only sure way to control measles is through immunization," De Guzman said, noting that most of the patients were from Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela.

He urged the public to avail of the free anti-measles vaccination in their respective barangay health centers to prevent the spread of the air-borne disease.

Given the apparent immunization scare due to the Dengvaxia controversy, De Guzman projected that the number of measles cases is likely to increase.

"We expect to see an increase in the number of cases of measles hanggang May siguro dahil mainit ang panahon," he said.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), among the symptoms of measles are cough, colds, high fever, redness of the eyes, and rashes.

If unattended, measles may lead to complications such as diarrhea, pneumonia, malnutrition, ear and brain infection, and blindness.

Aside from prescribed medicines, drinking plenty of water, Vitamin A intake, and proper nutrition would help in the recovery of a patient with measles. — MDM, GMA News

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