PHNOM PENH, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Health (MoH) on Saturday warned of a significant resurgence of measles as at least 375 cases had been detected in 2024.

Measles is a viral disease that is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through respiratory tract, coughing or sneezing, the MoH said in a statement, adding that it can cause serious illness, blindness, brain damage, and death, especially among malnourished young children.

"The Ministry of Health notices that the number of measles cases has been steadily increasing, especially in some schools and provinces along the border," the statement said. "From January to December 2024, Cambodia has confirmed a total of 375 positive cases of measles in 17 provinces."

Its symptoms usually appear 10-14 days after exposure to the virus and include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks, the statement said, adding that red rash that appears seven to 18 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck, and then spreads to the hands and feet.

"If your children have symptoms such as a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red rash, please take them to consult with doctors at your nearest health center or hospital," the statement said.

The MoH also called on parents to bring their children aged nine to 59 months to receive a measles-rubella vaccine for free at all health centers in order to protect them against this viral disease.

Cambodia declared measles-free in March 2015, but the first case of the disease reemerged seven months later. Enditem

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