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The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) on Thursday called for the importance of measles immunization, noting that in Europe, outbreaks and transmission of the virus continue to exist, which increases the risk case import.
In a note published on the website, DGS recalls that in recent years Portugal has experienced epidemics, from imported cases, quickly controlled because of high vaccination coverage and the "epidemiological and efficient laboratory surveillance system".
Earlier this month, OMS data indicated that 37 cases of measles had been confirmed since 8 November in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region and in Madeira.
The confirmed cases came from three different outbreaks: in Cascais, with 24 confirmed cases and one case imported from Ukraine, in Oeiras, with five confirmed cases originating from a case imported from the Czech Republic. and Madeira, with three confirmed cases
"Given the high number of measles cases and outbreaks in some European countries, the increase in population movements and the low rate of measles vaccination in several countries in the European region, the risk Import is high cases for Portugal, "says the DGS.
It also points out that, in vaccinated persons, the disease presents a clinical picture "lighter and with a very low probability of contagion (known as modified measles)". The classic form of measles occurs in unvaccinated individuals and is characterized by a clinical picture that can be serious, with complications and death.
The DGS also points out that, in the classic form of measles, "contagiousness (…) is very high".
According to the DGS, in 2018, 93% of cases were associated with outbreaks, the origin of the infection began with cases imported from other countries, namely Italy, France, Uganda / United States, the Czech Republic and Ukraine. During this period, isolated cases were also confirmed, with no known epidemiological link to these outbreaks and are currently under investigation.
The note adds that a high number of cases have occurred among health professionals "who, despite their vaccination, are highly exposed, that is, that they provide long-term care duration for measles cases ".
The DGS also emphasizes that vaccination coverage has increased over time, "allowing Portugal to maintain its group immunity, even if there are still some pockets of susceptibility".
Immunization coverage for the first dose of measles vaccine at 2 years of age was 98% and vaccine coverage for the second dose of this vaccine in children under 18 ranged from 96% to 98%.
According to the statement, there has been "a significant increase in the number of adults vaccinated against measles". It is estimated that more than 42,000 doses of measles vaccine were given during the campaign, most (80%) to adults.
The health authority recalls that measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases that can cause serious illness in unvaccinated people and even lead to death.
The measles virus is spread through direct contact with infectious droplets or through airborne propagation when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Patients are considered contagious from four days before to four days after the onset of rash.
Symptoms of measles usually appear between 10 and 12 days after infection and usually start with fever, rash (progressing from the head to the trunk and lower limbs), cough, conjunctivitis and nose that flows.
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