Vaccine-preventable diseases in the Philippines 2023
Pertussis, measles and diphtheria all up this year
Philippines health officials have reported increases in all the major vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in 2023 through December 2.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria cases are up 154 percent in the first 11 months of the year, rising from 78 cases in 2022 to 198 cases this year to date.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has seen the most cases with 52, followed by Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with 46 cases.
Diphtheria fatalities were up by 163 percent (19 in 2022 compared to 50 in 2023).
Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria that make a toxin. The toxin can cause people to get very sick. Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing. People can also get sick from touching open sores or ulcers of people sick with diphtheria.
When the bacteria get into the respiratory system, they can cause sore throat, mild fever, and swollen glands in the neck. The bacteria make a toxin that kills healthy tissues in the respiratory system and can make it difficult to breathe and swallow. The toxin can also cause heart, nerve, and kidney problems if it enters the bloodstream. Skin infections caused by C. diphtheriae typically consist of shallow ulcers (sores) and do not result in severe disease.
For some people, respiratory diphtheria can lead to death. Even with treatment, about 1 in 10 patients with respiratory diphtheria die. Without treatment, up to half of patients can die from the disease.
If you are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated against diphtheria and may have been exposed, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
Measles
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) also reported an increase in measles cases this year.
2,576 total cases were reported through December 2, up 374 percent from the 544 cases during the same period in 2022.
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has reported a 7,486 percent increase (14 in 2022 compared to 1,062 in 2023).
16 measles deaths have been reported this year to date. No measles deaths were reported in 2022.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves an area.
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People can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash.
Signs and symptoms of measles include maculopapular rash, high fever, and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.
Measles can be severe in all age groups and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and death. Several groups are more likely to suffer from measles complications, including children younger than five years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (infection of the brain).
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Pertussis
The most dramatic increase in a vaccine preventable disease in the Philippines in 2023 is seen with pertussis.
In a follow-up to a recent report here, 705 pertussis, or whooping cough cases have been reported year to date. This is a 1,579 percent increase from 2022 when 42 cases reported.
The death toll is also significantly higher this year—2 in 2022 vs 48 in 2023.
In addition to the above VPDs, health officials have reported increases in other VPDs: Rubella is up 65 percent and tetanus is up 30 percent.
Neonatal tetanus is also up 160 percent in 2023.
A UNICEF report earlier this year showed confidence in vaccines for children has decreased by about 25% in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, according to UNICEF and the WHO under the estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) 2022, the Philippines remains among the top five (5) countries with the most number of zero-dose children globally and the greatest contributor to the number of zero-dose children in East Asia and the Pacific Region.