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Guatemala issues epidemiological alert for measles
The Ministry of Health declared an epidemiological alert to prevent cases of measles in Guatemala.
(Free Press Photo: Newspaper Library PL)
The Ministry of Health issued an epidemiological alert due to measles cases in the United States and Argentina, due to the low vaccination coverage in Guatemala, sources from the health portfolio reported this Friday, March 1. It was reported that the first dose vaccination levels reach 88 percent and booster vaccination levels reach 77%, when the ideal would be 95%.
Data from the National Immunization Program detail that the coverage of the first dose of the measles vaccine closed in 2023 with 88% and the coverage of the second dose, which is 18 months after the first, with 77%.
In 2017 was the last time that Guatemala exceeded 90% in the vaccination scheme. Salud points out that the best way to prevent measles is with vaccination since there is no specific treatment and most patients recover in 2 or 3 weeks.
Symptoms and contagion
The symptoms are usually similar to those of dengue or covid-19, which is why authorities point out that 2023 closed with more than 200 suspected cases in Guatemala. So far this year, at least 22 suspects have already been reported.
The danger of measles is that it can cause serious complications such as blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and they even point out that a comparison was made between the way it is transmitted and that of covid-19. It is 10 times more contagious than influenza and four times more contagious than covid-19.
This can be acquired by contact with fluids such as saliva or drops of secretion from the person who is infected and even by handling the patient. Guatemala reported the last case of measles in 1998 and the last case of rubella in 2006.
2024-03-02 01:37:14
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