Peru issues epidemiological alert for measles amid high risk of spread

Peruvian health authorities have declared an epidemiological alert, citing the "high risk of dissemination" of measles following confirmed community transmission. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) aims to bolster prevention, surveillance, and control efforts, with a strong emphasis on vaccination.

The alert is designed to "alert and strengthen" actions across public, private, and mixed healthcare providers in response to the measles outbreak. This measure is particularly crucial as Peru prepares for significant public gatherings, including a presidential runoff election this Sunday and regional festivals in Cusco and the Amazonia. These events, characterized by high population mobility, increase the risk of the virus spreading.

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alert and strengthen

Furthermore, the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada presents a risk of imported cases. Minsa is advising Peruvians traveling to these events to get vaccinated against measles at least two weeks prior to their departure. The ministry has a plan in place to manage the outbreak, which has been confirmed in the southern department of Puno, bordering Bolivia, and poses a high risk of propagation in Lima, Callao, and several other departments.

As of the epidemiological week ending June 4, Peru had reported 501 confirmed measles cases across 41 districts in eight regions. Puno is the most affected area, accounting for 96.59% of these cases, with additional detections in Arequipa, Lambayeque, Cusco, Moquegua, Madre de Dios, Tacna, and Lima.

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what increases the risk of measles dissemination