Doubling of measles cases sparks fears of epidemic

THE number of measles cases doubled last year, raising fears of an epidemic.

Provisional figures compiled by the National Diseases Surveillance Centre (NDSC) show there were more than 500 cases in 2003, compared to 243 in 2002 and 241 in 2001.

In 2000, more than 1,600 cases occurred, mostly in the eastern region. Three children died - two of pneumonia-complicated measles and another from post-measles encephalitis.