PENAMPANG: Sabah Health department advises caregivers to ensure children are fully inoculated following the measles outbreak here.
The vaccine-preventable disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted to others through airborne droplets from the mouth and nose during speaking, coughing, or sneezing.
State health director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna said from last year until the second epidemiological week of 2024, the district recorded 52 measle cases.
Most cases reported symptoms during epidemiological Weeks 48 to 52 in 2023.
He said an outbreak of measles was reported in Kg Limbanak, involving 37 cases with epidemiological links between these cases and those reported in other involved localities.
During that period, 27 localities have reported measles cases, with the top six (6) localities being Kampung Kobusak (8 cases), Kg Tunoh (5), four each at Community Learning Centre (CLC) Cerdas, Kg Limbanak, Kg Lembah Impian, Kg Tuavon, and Kg Kolopis.
Dr Asits said most cases have recovered, with only one case requiring hospitalisation for further treatment.
The admitted child, however, has also recovered and been discharged.
"Of the total, 65 percent are non-citizens, with the highest age range of cases being between 7 to 17 years old (46 per cent), followed by 2 to 6 years old (23 per cent).
"Eighty-seven per cent of cases have never received measles immunisation," he said in a statement.
To contain the spread of measles among the community, Dr Asits said the department, through the Penampang District Health Office, is actively conducting control activities.
These include thorough epidemiological, laboratory and environmental investigations.
He said targeted immunisation activities for children in the affected localities are among the key control activities being implemented.
"Additionally, health promotion activities are underway to raise awareness among the public about the importance of measles immunisation and preventive measures."
Measles infection within the community can be prevented by ensuring that measles immunisation coverage remains above 95 per cent at all times.
In Sabah, measles immunisation is administered at 6 months, 9 months, and then at 1 year of age.
