Measles outbreak in Tawangan, Benquet

ABSTRACT

A measles outbreak in Tawangan, a remote barangay in Benquet was investigated. There were 85 cases of measles in a population of 522 people. The overall attack rate was 16.3%, with the highest incidence among children 5-10 years old. The age range was 5 months -26 years old. The case fatality rate was 10.6%. The age specific case fatality rate was 10.8% for the 0-4 years age group, and 15.6% for the 5-9 years. Investigators suspected that infection was introduced into Tawangan by a newly-arrived family from Ifugao. When compared to cases admitted to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, rural cases were found to be significantly older than the urban cases. These studies suggested that the target age for measles immunization in rural areas should be extended beyond 9 months, which is the age at which the Department of Health give vaccination. (Auth)