TAMPICO, Tamaulipas — Health officials in Tamaulipas are actively working to contain a measles outbreak within the state’s Mennonite communities. The effort follows the confirmation of two cases in young girls whose families had recently traveled to Chihuahua, a state grappling with over 300 reported measles detections.

Rapid response adn Vaccination Efforts

Sergio Uriegas Camargo,an epidemiologist with the tamaulipas Ministry of Health,detailed the immediate actions being taken. Some Mennonite families visited the state of Chihuahua and regrettably two nine and eleven -year -old girls were infected, the cases were confirmed by laboratory and the governor and the Secretary of Health gave us instructions to generate a quick response plan to address the induced outbreak.

The initial focus is on the municipality of Casas, where the infected minors reside. Health authorities are implementing an expanded vaccination plan, extending outreach to other Mennonite communities throughout Tamaulipas with the support of local authorities and sanitary jurisdictions.

Containment Measures and Contact Tracing

Health teams have conducted thorough investigations in the five Mennonite communities within Casas, employing vaccination blocks and actively searching for potential infections among family members and close contacts who may have traveled to Chihuahua.

10 direct contact studies were done and no more cases were confirmed, only those two positive were, however, we continued vaccinating, we have convinced them to apply the biological, the parents were made awareness.

Mr. Uriegas Camargo emphasized the increasing vaccination coverage within these communities and the ongoing efforts to reach all Mennonite settlements in the region. In all Mennonite fields we seek to bring the vaccination strategy and fortunately we have a good response in their homes, they are understanding that this problem should be contained, he stated.

Outbreak Control and Future Prevention

According to the state epidemiologist, the outbreak is currently under control and does not pose a significant risk to the broader population.though, vigilance remains crucial.

Leveraging Global Vaccination programs

health officials plan to capitalize on universal vaccination programs to ensure comprehensive protection against measles and other preventable diseases among children.

We are taking advantage to apply other vaccines that need Mennonites, we have had contact with the leaders of their fields and are collaborating quite well.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

Mr. Uriegas Camargo acknowledged the historical resistance to vaccination within the Mennonite community. Though, he noted that collaboration with municipal authorities, such as the mayor of Casas, has facilitated constructive dialog with families, leading to increased acceptance of vaccination.

It is indeed a very contagious disease and they were seen that if they do not collaborate, not only they are at risk, the infection can disperse the rest of the population, so we are acting in this way.

Vaccination Statistics in Casas

In Casas alone,home to approximately 200 Mennonite families,health officials have administered a range of vaccines,including:

• 100 doses of measles vaccine
• 27 doses of Hexavalente vaccine
• 24 doses of pneumococcal vaccine
• 10 doses of TDPA (tetanus,diphtheria,and pertussis) vaccine
• 4 doses of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine
• 9 doses of DPT (diphtheria,tetanus,and pertussis) vaccine
• 9 doses of triple viral vaccine
• 3 doses of rotavirus vaccine