Ministry of Health confirms 9 cases of measles in Tocantins

Nine cases of measles have been confirmed in the municipality of Campos Lindos, Tocantins , a city of about 8,700 inhabitants located 500 km from the capital, Palmas. Two other cases are still being investigated by the Ministry of Health. All those infected live in a small community of about 400 people, "who, for cultural reasons, are not in the habit of getting vaccinated," the ministry reported.

The virus infection was confirmed by tests performed at the state's reference laboratory and re-performed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro. Some of those infected have recent travel history to Bolivia, a country experiencing an outbreak of the disease.

Ministry technicians have been in the municipality since Monday the 21st, coordinating lockdown and sweeping efforts to prevent the spread of the disease. To date, 660 people are being monitored. The professionals have already visited more than 280 homes and administered 644 doses of the vaccine, which prevents the disease.

"With the continued efforts of the Ministry of Health and the state and municipal secretariats, it is possible that, even with the emergence of new cases, the spread will be controlled and the circulation of the virus interrupted," the ministry stated.

With the confirmation of these cases, Brazil now has 14 confirmed cases of the disease this year. The others occurred in Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo, and the Federal District. In the Americas region alone, 7,132 cases of measles have been confirmed this year: 34 in Argentina, 34 in Belize, 60 in Bolivia, five in Brazil, one in Costa Rica, 1,227 in the United States, 2,597 in Mexico, and four in Peru. Additionally, 13 people have died from the disease: nine in Mexico, three in the United States, and one in Canada.

Last year, Brazil regained its measles-free status from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). According to the ministry, since confirmed cases, although numerous, are imported and do not demonstrate sustained domestic transmission, the certification has not been compromised. However, to prevent future similar situations, vaccination blockade efforts are being intensified in Tocantins and regions bordering Bolivia.

D-Day

In Acre, the D-Day vaccination campaign, held last week, administered almost 5,000 doses of the triple viral vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. This Saturday (26), it will be the turn of the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and Rondônia to receive the D-Day vaccination campaign against measles.

The MMR vaccine is part of the basic childhood vaccination schedule, administered in two doses at 12 and 15 months of age. However, all individuals up to 59 years of age who do not have proof of having been vaccinated in childhood must be immunized. The full schedule is two doses for those up to 29 years of age and one dose for adults between 30 and 59 years of age.

Ideal vaccination coverage is above 95%. This year, Brazil managed to vaccinate 91.74% of its children with the first dose, but only 72.74% have completed the schedule so far. In Tocantins, coverage is below the national average: 86% with the first dose and 55% with the second.

Measles is an extremely infectious disease: a person with the virus can transmit it to up to 90% of their non-immunized contacts. The main symptoms are fever, malaise, cough, runny nose, and the typical red spots on the body. The disease can progress to severe forms, especially in young children, and can leave sequelae or even lead to death.