OPS WHO | Measles in the Americas: new epidemiological update

Washington, DC, July 24, 2018 (PAHO) – According to the latest epidemiological update of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued on July 20, 2018, a total of 2472 confirmed cases of measles have were reported in 11 countries Most cases occurred in Venezuela (1613 cases) and Brazil (677), followed by the United States (91), Colombia (40), Canada (19), the United States (39) and the United States. Ecuador (17), Argentina (5), Mexico (5), Peru (3), Antigua and Barbuda (1) and Guatemala (1).

The data show that since the last epidemiological update published on June 8, 1685 cases, the number of cases has increased by 787 – an increase of more than 45%. More than 92% of them were reported in Brazil and Venezuela.

In light of ongoing reports of measles cases imported from other regions and ongoing epidemics in the Americas, PAHO urges all Member States to:

• Vaccinate to maintain consistent coverage 95% with the first and second doses of measles, Vaccinate populations at risk, without evidence of vaccination or immunity against measles and rubella, such as health professionals, people working in tourism and transportation (hotels and caterers, airports, taxi drivers, and others) and international travelers.
• Maintain a supply of measles and rubella (MR) vaccines and syringes for the control of imported cases in each country in the Region.
• Strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of measles to rapidly detect all suspected cases of measles in the public and private sectors. health facilities and ensure that samples are received by laboratories within 5 days of collection.
• Provide a rapid response to imported measles cases through the activation of rapid intervention teams to prevent the reestablishment of endemic transmission. Once a rapid response team has been activated, ongoing coordination between the national and local levels must be ensured, with permanent and fluid communication channels between all levels.
• Identifying Foreign Migration Flows (Arrival of Foreign Persons) In addition, PAHO / WHO recommends advising all travelers over the age of six months who can not show proof of vaccination or vaccination. immunity to enter the country. that they receive the measles and rubella vaccine, preferably the triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella), at least two weeks before traveling to areas where measles transmission has been documented

  Indigenous people living near Venezuelan borders are particularly vulnerable to measles outbreaks.

  According to the epidemiological update, 126 cases have been reported in the Yanomami communities of the municipality of Alto Orinoco, State of Amazonas, Venezuela, where there is currently an epidemic. These cases include 53 deaths probably badociated with measles.

  The states of Amazonas and Roraima in Brazil also confirmed 77 cases of measles in the Yanomami (and Ye'kuna) communities, most in the health district of Auaris.

  Links

  – Epidemiological Update – Measles (July 20)
  – All Epidemiological Updates on Measles

Updated on Wednesday, 25 July 2018 11:06