Rio de Janeiro confirms its first two cases of measles in 18 years

The body stated in a statement that the patients are students of the Faculty of Law of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Last week the Ministry of Health confirmed a measles epidemic in the states of Amazonas and Roraima, in the north of the country, where the virus has been eradicated since 2016.

Until [asofJune20463cases(200inRoraimaand263inAmazonas)havebeenconfirmedand1545areunderinvestigationtheministrysaidinabulletin19659002] The only two deaths due to measles so far this year have occurred in Roraima, a state bordering Venezuela and the main beneficiary of the increasing flow of migrants from that country. Brazil studies 61 other possible cases of measles

According to laboratory studies, the strain of the virus found in Brazil is the same in circulation in Venezuela, a country that he is suffering from a severe crisis with a shortage of food , basic products and medicines.

On the other hand, according to the Ministry of Health, until June 11, two cases of measles were confirmed among the Yanomami Brazilians in the same border region and other 24 cases in Venezuelan native. There are still 61 cases under investigation.

The human rights organization Survival International has issued an alert: "These communities are the most vulnerable. Urgent medical help is the only thing that stands between them and the devastation, "said director, Stephen Corry.

Measles is a contagious, respiratory transmission disease, caused by a virus. red on the skin, fever, cough and conjunctivitis are some of the symptoms.

Vaccination in Brazil is permanent and not stationary, but the government has intensified operations because of low immunization rates and the reappearance of the vaccine

According to information from: pr / js / rsr

© Agence France-Presse