Bolivia measles case count now 148, Most in Santa Cruz
In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Bolivia, the Vice Minister of Promotion, Epidemiological Surveillance, and Traditional Medicine, Max Enríquez, reported this Sunday that Bolivia has reported 148 cases of measles, 124 of which are in the department of Santa Cruz, leading to intensified containment efforts in that region.
Unvaccinated individuals, especially children, are the most exposed to the virus, so the national government is coordinating urgent containment efforts and mass vaccination of the population aged 1 to 14 with municipalities and departments to curb the spread.
To date, Santa Cruz has recorded 124 of the 148 confirmed cases. The remainder are distributed among La Paz (11); Potosí (4); Beni (3); Chuquisaca (2); recently Cochabamba (2); Oruro (1); and Pando (1). Only Tarija department remains case-free.
Mennonite communities, with low vaccination coverage, are experiencing sustained outbreaks. "This forces us to take more forceful action to vaccinate. Fortunately, there is already greater openness, but we need more forcefulness, and that is what we are organizing for the coming days," the authority said.
Deputy Minister Enriquez noted that the Ministry of Health and Sports has expanded the vaccination age range from 1 to 14 years of age and is strengthening immunization in hard-to-reach communities. “We are seeing entire families who have never received a dose. We need to act decisively to break the chain of transmission.”
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He recommended that parents not wait for the brigades at home but rather take advantage of the school break and take their children to health centers. "It's best for parents to take five minutes and take their child to be vaccinated. That way, when they return to school, their child will be protected. In coordination with educational institutions, we can ensure that all schoolchildren are up to date with their doses," the official urged.
The deputy minister explained that children ages 1 to 5 who have not started their vaccination schedule should receive the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine, which requires two doses. Those who have only received one dose must receive a second dose to ensure adequate protection.
Children between 10 and 14 years old receive a single dose of the MR (Measles, Rubella) vaccine, which will strengthen their immunity against the disease. This extension of the age range to 14 years is part of the strategy to protect the school population, which is why the Ministry of Health and Sports recommended that students return to school vaccinated.
The deputy minister noted that for now, the main focus is on protecting the school population. He also noted that measles can have severe complications and leave serious after-effects: blindness, deafness, and motor disabilities, so vaccination is the best way to prevent serious after-effects.
Vaccines received from India
Bolivia received today a new batch of 300,000 doses of the Measles-Rubella vaccine, donated by the Republic of India, which was delivered at El Alto International Airport. The doses will allow the vaccination process to continue for girls and boys ages 10 to 14, expanding coverage to the school population and reinforcing immunization before the return to school.
Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa expressed her gratitude to India: "I would like to extend my deepest greetings and gratitude, on behalf of our brother President of Bolivia, Luis Arce Catacora, and the Bolivian people, to the Government of the Republic of India, through its ambassador, for this gesture of unconditional solidarity that the Bolivian people are receiving today."