Measles outbreak in Sarangani kills one, infects 80 others

A measles outbreak in Sarangani left one child dead and 80 others infected.

According to a report by "Quick Response Team," Health Secretary Francisco Duque confirmed that one of the 80 children infected died from measles.

There were 17 others who earlier died, but health officials have yet to confirm if measles was the cause of their death.

Duque said that the town of Malapatan, in Sarangani was in a far-flung area often not reached by anti-measles vaccine, making the children there vulnerable to measles infection.

It would take six hours of trek to reach one of its villages, Suyan, where treatment for measles was available.

Duque, however, assured that the contingent from the Department of Health, the Provincial Health Office, the Philippine Red Cross, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police would reach the affected areas for an outbreak response immunization drive.

The province of General Santos City also earlier declared a measles outbreak. —LLanesca Panti/ LDF, GMA News