PAHO calls for renewed surveillance and increased vaccination efforts as measles cases rise globally – PAHO/WHO

Washington, DC, January 30, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) published an epidemiological alert urging countries to intensify vaccination activities, epidemiological surveillance and rapid response preparation for possible measles outbreaks in the region, given the increase in cases worldwide and the detection of imported cases in early 2014 in the Americas.

Measles, a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, can cause serious complications such as blindness, pneumonia or encephalitis, and even cause death. Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent infection and the spread of measles.

After years of declining vaccination coverage, measles cases increased globally by 18% in 2022 and 64% in 2023, compared to previous years.

In the region, PAHO had already warned in 2023 of a drop in coverage of the first and second doses of the measles vaccine, and of the appearance of cases in countries in the Americas. In 2023, regional coverage of the first dose of the disease vaccine (known as MMR) was 85%, below the WHO-recommended ideal coverage percentage of at least 95%.

In the epidemiological alert, the Organization calls for surveillance in the event of potential suspected and/or confirmed cases of measles or rubella, which could be imported from other regions of the world and generate outbreaks of varying magnitude in countries of the Americas. In 2023, 14,884 suspected cases and 53 confirmed cases of measles were reported in the region, while some countries have already reported confirmed cases so far this year.

PAHO also recommends intensifying vaccination and epidemiological surveillance activities in high-risk areas, as well as a rapid response to suspected cases to prevent the re-establishment of endemic measles transmission in the Americas.

The alert also includes a series of recommendations for travelers, offering advice that countries can share on actions to take before, during and after travel.

1 Comment
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