THE SABAH Health Department has reported a spike in measles cases among children in Penampang, with one village in the district already experiencing a serious local outbreak.
The district uncovered seven new cases in the second week of 2024, bringing the total to 52 cases since last year.
An outbreak has been reported in Kampung Limbanak where health authorities believe up to 37 of the cases are linked to several other localities.
According to the department, 27 localities and six villages reported the most number of measles cases namely, Kampung Kobusak eight cases, Kampung Tunoh five cases, Kampung Limbanak four cases, Kampung Lembah Impian four cases, Kampung Tuavon four cases, Kampung Kolopis four cases and a Community Learning Centre.
State health director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna in a statement today revealed that 65% of the cases involve non-Malaysians. Children aged seven to 17 make up around 46% of the cases while two to six years old make up 23%.
“Most of the cases, or around 87%, never received the measles immunisation,” he said in Kota Kinabalu today.
“Most cases have recovered, and there is only one case with a history of being admitted to the hospital for further treatment. However, that case has also recovered and has been discharged,” Asits said.
He said health officers from the Penampang district health office have been deployed to control the spread of the contagious disease.
Case, epidemiological, laboratory and environmental investigations, as well as awareness programmes are being conducted.
“Community measles infections can be prevented by ensuring that measles immunisation coverage is always above 95% at all times,” he said.
“High immunisation coverage provides protection to the community through the herd immunity effect.
“Therefore, parents are responsible for ensuring that their children receive complete measles immunisation according to the prescribed schedule.”
In the state of Sabah, measles immunisation is given at the ages of 6 months, 9 months, and then when the child is a year old. – The Vibes, January 19, 2023
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