Parents urged to vaccinate kids against measles following sharp rise in cases

Photo: AFP News

Parents in Singapore have been advised to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles, following a jump in the number of cases here.

A total of 50 measles cases have been reported from the beginning of 2016 up to 21 May, said a Ministry of Health (MOH) press release issued on Thursday (26 May). By comparison, only 17 cases were recorded over the same period in 2015.

According to the MOH, 34 out of the 40 Singaporean patients were children, 17 of whom were under the age of one and were not yet due for their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination.

Fourteen of the children were aged between one and six years and had missed their MMR vaccination, while the remaining three were at the age of one and had received only one dose of the vaccination.

Measles is a highly infectious disease, spread through air droplets and direct contact with nasal and throat secretions. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and rashes. Patients can also be infectious without presenting any of the symptoms.

Measles vaccination is compulsory in Singapore and the MOH said it is the best preventive measure against it. The MMR vaccination is available at polyclinics, private general practitioner clinics and private paediatric clinics.

For more information, read the full MOH press release here.