Highly contagious: Measles could spread between four days before and after the onset of the ‘measle-like’ rash.
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Health Department is now providing targeted immunisation to children in places affected by a measles outbreak here after it was found that more than 80% of those infected had not been vaccinated against the disease.
This is after 45 cases were reported last month, with another seven this year up to the second epidemiology week, putting the overall cases at 52.
State health director Dr Asits Sanna said most of the patients had recovered, with only one case having been admitted to the hospital for further treatment.
“The patient admitted to the hospital has recovered and was discharged,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
Dr Asits said 65% of the cases involved foreigners, with children aged between seven and 17 accounting for 46% of those infected, while 23% comprised children aged two to six.
“Most of the cases, or 87%, have never received immunisation for measles,” he said.
“In that period, 27 localities have reported cases, with the highest in Kampung Kobusak (eight cases), Kampung Tunoh (five), and four cases each in Community Learning Centre Cerdas, Kampung Limbanak, Kampung Lembah Impian, Kampung Tuavon and Kampung Kolopis.
“Most cases reported symptoms between the 48th and 52nd epidemiology weeks in 2023,” he said.
