BATANGAS, Philippines – At least 3 children in 1 barangay in Tanauan City were found positive for measles (rubeola), prompting city health officials to declare an outbreak.

Dr. Adel Bautista, Tanauan City health officer, said 15 children in Barangay 7 Poblacion were diagnosed to have symptoms of measles such as fever, cough, skin rashes, colds, sore eyes and loss of appetite.

“Of the 15 cases we have, 3 of them turned out to be positive with measles when we tested their blood at RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine),” Bautista said adding they have yet to receive the result of the blood tests of the other children.

Bautista said that based on parameters of the Department of Health (DOH), 3 or more cases of sickness, such as measles, confined in one location could already be considered as an outbreak.

He said while measles is usually self-limiting, it can cause complications in people with weak immune systems. These may lead to diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis, and corneal ulceration leading to corneal scarring.

Bautista said the city health office will conduct a vaccination drive against measles in Barangay 7 and neighboring barangays starting Monday.

“We will also send our health workers to conduct information dissemination among residents in Barangay to avoid the spread of the disease,” Bautista said.

The DOH has already declared measles outbreaks in different areas across the country.

Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH National Epidemiology Center said these areas include Baseco Compound and Moriones in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Pulang Lupa in Las Piñas City; Balabagan town in Lanao del Sur; Central Market in Dasmariñas, Cavite; and San Francisco town in Quezon.

Tayag said measles outbreaks are expected during the hot summer season

A total of 570 cases of measles have been recorded from January to February 5 this year, according to the DOH, with children aged one to nine as its common victims.