KOTA KINABALU (Borneo Post) — Sabah’s Penampang district is currently grappling with a mild measles outbreak that commenced last month, as reported by the state Health Department.
A total of 45 cases were recorded during the initial period, with an additional seven cases identified up to the 2nd epidemiology week of the year, bringing the current total to 52.
According to Sabah Health director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna, 65 per cent of the reported cases involve non-citizens, predominantly in the age range of seven to 17 years (46 per cent) and two to six years (23 per cent). Alarmingly, 87per cent of the cases has never received measles immunisation.
The affected cases stem from 27 localities, with the highest incidence reported in Kampung Kobusak, Kampung Tunoh, Community Learning Centre (CLC) Cerdas, Kampung Limbanak, Kampung Lembah Impian, Kampung Tuavon, and Kampung Kolopis.
Most patients initially displayed symptoms in December of the previous year. An outbreak in Kampung Limbanak involved 37 cases, with epidemiological connections to cases reported in other localities.
The majority of cases have recovered, with only one requiring hospitalization and subsequently being discharged.
To curb the measles spread, the state Health Department, through the Penampang health office, is actively conducting comprehensive investigations, including epidemiological, laboratory, and environmental checks. Targeted immunisation activities for children in affected areas are a primary control measure, accompanied by health promotion initiatives to emphasise the importance of immunisation and measles prevention.
Measles, a vaccine-preventable disease caused by the measles virus, is highly contagious and can be transmitted through airborne droplets from the mouth and nose.
Maintaining measles immunisation coverage above 95 per cent is crucial for preventing community infections.
Parents are urged to ensure their children receive complete measles immunization according to the established schedule, with vaccinations in Sabah given at six months, nine months, and one year of age.
Immunisation services for children are available at both government and private health facilities.
