Measles outbreak confirmed in Peru's Loreto region; Ombudsman urges urgent action

A new outbreak of measles has been confirmed in the Loreto region of Peru, with four cases reported in the Yurimaguas district of Alto Amazonas province. The emergence of these cases has prompted the Ombudsman's Office to urgently request the National Government to adopt immediate measures and strengthen health responses to interrupt the virus's transmission chain.

The Ombudsman's Office stated that the situation requires a timely, coordinated, and proportional intervention based on epidemiological risk. The goal is to halt transmission, close vaccination gaps, and prevent new cases in other provinces and districts within the Loreto region. The institution emphasized that the response should not solely rely on the regional government's operational and budgetary capabilities.

Consequently, the Ombudsman's Office has requested the Ministry of Health (Minsa) to provide immediate technical and operational assistance to the Regional Directorate of Health and the health services in Alto Amazonas. They also called for ensuring a sufficient and timely supply of measles vaccines, along with necessary supplies and equipment for vaccination and epidemiological surveillance brigades. This intensified effort aims to actively search for suspected cases, prioritizing children who have not completed their vaccination schedules.

According to the Minsa's Measles Situational Room, as of July 13, Peru had recorded 989 confirmed cases of measles across the country. Affected regions include Puno, Arequipa, Moquegua, Cusco, Madre de Dios, Huánuco, Tacna, Lambayeque, Lima, and Junín. Measles is a highly contagious disease preventable by vaccination, making a rapid response to confirmed cases crucial. The Ombudsman's Office also urged the implementation of an intensive risk communication strategy, providing clear, timely, and culturally relevant official information, especially in areas with identified cases and low vaccination coverage.

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This situation requires a timely, coordinated, and proportional intervention based on epidemiological risk, aimed at interrupting transmission chains, closing vaccination gaps, and preventing the appearance of new cases in other provinces and districts of the region.