DOH lifts Code Blue alert amid decreasing pertussis, measles cases

The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday declared the deactivation of the Code Blue alert at its central office as it recorded a continuous decrease in pertussis and measles cases since it implemented an intensified vaccination against the contagious diseases.

Based on DOH data, whooping cough or pertussis cases from May 12 to May 25 dropped by 38% at 187, compared to the 301 cases from April 28 to May 11.

The number of reported measles-rubella cases also showed signs of “plateauing” as the 283 cases from April 28 to May 11, declined by 37% to just 178 from May 12 to May 25.

Specifically in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the measles-rubella went down by 58% from 86 cases on April 28 to May 11, to 36 cases on May 12 to May 25.

“Recent data, spanning from January 1 to June 8, 2024, highlights a continuous decrease in pertussis cases. In the BARMM, reported measles-rubella cases are stabilizing,” the DOH said.

The agency also noted that the Measles Outbreak Response Immunization (MORI) in the BARMM became a “resounding success” after being able to vaccinate a total of 1,203,497 individuals or 87.9% of the eligible population.

In March, the DOH raised the Code Blue alert and established a Public Health Emergency Operations Center to bring down the cases of pertussis and measles nationwide.

This as Quezon City declared an outbreak of pertussis following an increase in the cases of the contagious respiratory infection.

“Code Blue has been practiced in the DOH Central Office since March 20, which signals intensified activities to mitigate the spread of the virus through vaccination, micronutrient supplementation, community engagement, and risk communication,” Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier said.

The Code Blue Alert is raised to signal intensified activities to mitigate the spread of the virus through vaccination, micronutrient supplementation, community engagement, and risk communication. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News