IMUS, Cavite – The reported measles outbreak in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, has been contained, the local health department said over the weekend.

The Department of Health (DoH) said Dasmariñas – the most populated city in Cavite – is one of the 11 areas in the country where the measles outbreak was reported.

“There was measles outbreak in the city but it has been contained at once with the intensified vaccination measures,” said Dasmariñas Health Office chief Dr. Cynthia M. Cristobal.

Cristobal confirmed that there were at least two cases reported in the city on February 8, 2010. “One measles case can be considered as an outbreak,” she said.

Cristobal said that it was the first time in five years that the measles incidence was reported in the city.

The health officer said the measles outbreak in the city was contained following a house-to-house vaccination for children and information drive about the airborne disease.

“The number of measles cases in the city did not increase. This is due to the house-to-house vaccination that we made for children whose ages range from six months to five years and 11 months, and the info drive,” said Cristobal.

Measles is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes.

Provincial Epidemiologist Nelson Soriano said that measles or “tigdas” is one of the so-called summer diseases that can be avoided with proper measures and right medicines.

Aside from measles, other summer diseases include diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis, and even food poisoning.