Mexico: Measles cases near 3,000 nationwide, 94% in Chihuahua
During a recent press conference (July 1), Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Health Secretary David Kershenobich presented an update on the measles outbreak in the country and the reinforcement actions being taken to contain it.
The Secretary of Health reported that, to date, 2,942 cases of measles have been recorded nationwide.
He indicated that the majority (93.5%) are concentrated in Chihuahua, with 2,752 registered cases, which has allowed them to focus their efforts on that region.
He indicated that the majority are concentrated in Chihuahua, with 2,752 registered cases, which has allowed them to focus their efforts on that region. Therefore, the following key actions are being carried out:
Vaccination expansion: Adults up to 49 years of age can now also be vaccinated.
Sufficient supply: There are currently 4.5 million doses of the MMR vaccine and 1.4 million doses of the DMR vaccine available.
Interinstitutional coordination: A national meeting will be held in Chihuahua on July 2 with health authorities from the 32 states, national and international specialists, and personnel from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with the goal of strengthening strategies and accelerating containment of the outbreak.
The Secretary of Health also noted that a significant number of infections have been detected among migrant workers, especially agricultural day laborers who travel between mountain communities and rural fields. Therefore, it was decided to expand the vaccination program and deploy mobile brigades to these areas to prevent further spread.
He also highlighted that the vast majority of cases share the same genotype, linked to outbreaks previously reported in Texas and Canada, which has allowed for better tracking of the virus's behavior.
Finally, Secretary Kershenobich called for shared responsibility: “We mustn't be complacent. If you have children, or if you are under 49 and haven't been vaccinated, go to a health center. The vaccine is there, it's safe, free, and it's the best way for us all to protect ourselves.”
The Ministry of Health reiterates that the outbreak is being addressed seriously and swiftly, and containing it requires a collective effort. Therefore, getting vaccinated is an act of responsibility and care for others.