Portugal reports secondary measles case
Rita Sá Machado, The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) in Portugal announced another measles case on Thursday in the Lisbon and Vale do Region Tejo.
Officials say the patient, a 7-year-old unvaccinated child, non-resident in Portugal had close contact, during the transmissibility period, with the previous case, a 20-month-old child, non-resident in Portugal and also unvaccinated, confirmed imported on January 11, 2024.
The new patient is considered a secondary case.
The cases were laboratory confirmed by the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).
Considering the international context of active measles outbreaks in Europe, confirmation of two cases of measles in Portugal, and the awareness of health services to detect early onset of the disease, suspected cases are expected to appear in the coming days.
DGS and the network of Health Authorities, in collaboration with INSA and health professionals are monitoring the evolution of the situation in accordance with the provisions of the Program.
DGS reinforces the importance of vaccination in accordance with the National Vaccination Program, recommending:
Check your vaccination record and, if necessary, get vaccinated. The measles vaccine is part of the National Vaccination Program, and is recommended:
Persons under 18 years of age:
1-4 years – 1 dose (recommended at 12 months of age);
5-17 years old – 2 doses (recommended at 5 years of age)