Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Measles cases rise sharply

Measles cases rise sharply

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A health worker administers a measles vaccination to children in Phnom Penh in 2016. Heng Chivoan

Measles cases rise sharply

Cambodia has recorded 341 measles cases in the first four months of this year, a significant increase from just 44 cases in the same period last year.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed the total on Monday and reported that 65 per cent of those infected had not been vaccinated.

“During the pandemic, it is more important than ever to maintain routine immunisation services to protect children and the community or face the risk of an increase in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks like measles,” said WHO Representative to Cambodia Dr Li Ailan.

Measles has surged globally in recent years. Although Cambodia received its measles elimination status in 2015, it is not immune from a resurgence, it said.

WHO reports that most Cambodians are immunised at health centres and hospitals, which conduct routine immunisations according to regular schedules.

Still, along with measles, Cambodia also faces rubella and pertussis outbreaks. Officials warn that children must be immunised from these diseases to avoid additional strain on the public health system during the pandemic.

The Cambodia Ministry of Health established the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) to expand Cambodia’s immunisation services in 2000.

The programme promotes the wellbeing of all Cambodians by controlling, eliminating or eradicating targeted vaccine-preventable diseases.

NIP, WHO, UNICEF and other partners work together closely to coordinate the programme’s immunisation activities.

Those organisations and other partners also visit communities to conduct catch-up vaccinations and reach children that are less likely to visit health centres and hospitals, such as in Cham and Vietnamese communities.

The teams also advise the communities to learn about how to protect themselves from Covid-19, said the WHO.

The Ministry of Health’s NIP manager Ork Vichit declined to comment on Tuesday, referring questions to ministry spokesperson Or Vandine and Ly Sovann. But the two officials did not respond to The Post by press time.

Measles is highly contagious and predominantly responsible for acute respiratory diseases.

WHO said most who die from measles are children under the age of five.

From 2000 to 2018, the vaccine against measles saved the lives of more than 23 million people throughout the world, it said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry taking steps over Thai ‘replica’ of Angkor Wat

    The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has dispatched experts to inspect the ongoing construction of a temple in Wat Phu Man Fah, located in Thailand’s Buriram province. This temple appears to be a replica of Cambodia’s renowned Angkor Wat. The ministry said

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.

  • Thavisin touches down in Phnom Penh for first official visit to an ASEAN member state

    Thailand's newly appointed prime minister Srettha Thavisin has arrived in Cambodia for a one-day visit. The trip marks his first visit to an ASEAN country since taking office and aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment. According to the agenda, Thavisin is scheduled to hold