The Health Ministry said the anti-vaccination movement among parents is among reasons for the spike in measles cases in Malaysia.

There were 602 cases as at September this year, almost triple that of last year where 235 cases were recorded.

Meanwhile, 195 cases were recorded in 2013.

Two children died of measles this year, compared to one last year, the ministry said.

"The main cause for the spike is failure to immunise children (against measles)...

"Among reasons for this are parents forget or are too busy, misconception of the severity of measles, anti-vaccination belief or practice of homeopathy and/or naturapathy," the health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement.

He said of the cases reported since 2014, 50 to 65 percent of the patients were not immunised against measles.

Most cases involve those aged six and below.

Measles highly contagious

Hisham said measles is 'highly contagious' and advised parents not to send their children to daycare or kindergarten if they are infected with measles.

Those with compromised immune systems, like HIV/AIDS patients or those receiving treatment for cancer, should also avoid exposure to those infected with measles, he said.

The anti-vaccination movement in Malaysia is growing following concerns of adverse allergies to vaccination, belief that vaccinations cause autism and claims that vaccinations contain pig DNA.

The ministry has clarified that studies have debunked the link between vaccination and autism and that the vaccines are safe.

It is also coaching doctors to convince parents to immunise their children and has refuted the pig DNA claims.

The National Fatwa Council issued an edict two decades ago declaring vaccination as halal.