San Lazaro Hospital records over 30 adult measles cases in February

The number of adult patients afflicted with measles admitted in San Lazaro Hospital in Manila has increased in the past two weeks, according to a report by Ivan Mayrina on GMA's 24 Oras on Tuesday.

There were only four adult patients confined at the hospital because of measles on February 5, the number has spiked to 38.

"Itong mga adults na ito [had] no vaccine and they haven't had the measles when they were young so ngayon lang po sila nagka-tigdas," San Lazaro Hospital spokesperson Dr. Ferdinand De Guzman said.

Among those adults confined in the hospital was Arwin Iringco whose child also contracted the measles virus a few weeks ago.

Iringco took care of his sick child only to contract the infectious disease later on.

"Kailangang mag-ingat lang kasi malakas 'yung tama sa tao. Walang pinipili, matanda o bata man," Iringco said.

Measles cases in the country reached 9,267 since January 1, 2019, according to the latest data of the Department of Health (DOH).

One hundred forty-six fatalities have already been reported.

Among the areas being monitored is the Cagayan Valley region where there had been a 500 percent increase on the incidence of measles cases.

The  DOH continues to encourage the public to get vaccinated.

"For those who are not sure of their immunization, sasabihin ng parents 'di namin matandaan pero may bakuna ka, DOH advises them to have kahit one dose lang," De Guzman said.

Earlier this month, the DOH declared a measles outbreak in Calabarzon, National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas.

The DOH projects that the outbreak could still prevail in the next two months.