Six more children have died with measles symptoms nationwide in the past 24 hours. Over the same period, another 1,231 new cases of measles or its symptoms were recorded. No deaths from confirmed measles were reported in this period, however. That brings this year’s combined death toll from measles and measles-like symptoms to 979. The figures were released Tuesday in the Directorate General of Health Services’ regular report on the measles situation.
According to the health directorate, cases and deaths linked to measles symptoms have been rising steadily since March 15. In that time, 880 children have died with measles symptoms, while another 99 children have died of confirmed measles — bringing the combined death toll, from both measles symptoms and confirmed measles, to 979 since March 15.
In the past 24 hours, 72 children were confirmed to have measles, bringing the total number of confirmed measles cases nationwide since March 15 to 19,384. Over the same period, 159,150 children have been affected with measles symptoms. A large number of those with measles symptoms required hospital treatment. The health directorate’s report said 139,519 children have been hospitalized with measles symptoms since March 15, of whom 134,458 have recovered and been discharged.