Penampang in Sabah is facing a small measles outbreak that started last month, according to the Sabah Health Department.
The director of Sabah Health, Datuk Dr. Asits Sanna, shared that 45 cases were reported during that period, with an additional seven cases found up to the 2nd week of the year, making it a total of 52 cases now.
Photo via Newswav
Dr. Asits highlighted that 65% of these cases involve non-Malaysians, with the highest number affecting kids between seven to 17 years old (46%) and two to six years old (23%). Shockingly, 87% of these cases never got the measles shot, as mentioned in an official statement.
These cases are spread across 27 different places, with the highest numbers reported in Kampung Kobusak (eight cases), Kampung Tunoh (five cases), Community Learning Centre (CLC) Cerdas, Kampung Limbanak (four cases), Kampung Lembah Impian (four cases), Kampung Tuavon (four cases), and Kampung Kolopis (four cases).
Most patients first showed symptoms in December of the previous year.
Dr. Asits also shared information about a specific outbreak in Kampung Limbanak, involving 37 cases connected to cases in nearby areas. Thankfully, most have recovered, with only one needing hospitalization, who has now recovered and been discharged.
To tackle the spread, the Sabah Health Department, through the Penampang health office, is actively investigating, including checks on the community, labs, and the environment. They're focusing on immunizing children in the affected areas and running campaigns to inform the public about the importance of vaccinations and ways to prevent measles.
Measles is a preventable disease through vaccination. It spreads easily through the air when people talk, cough, or sneeze.
To prevent more cases, it's crucial to keep measles immunization coverage above 95%. This helps protect the community through what we call herd immunity.
Parents are strongly encouraged to make sure their kids get all the necessary measles shots, which in Sabah includes vaccinations at six months, nine months, and one year of age. You can get these shots at both government and private health facilities.
