The number of deaths from the measles outbreak in Guatemala increased to 24, after the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) confirmed two more deaths, corresponding to two women aged 14 and 26, both from Izabal.
According to the epidemiological update as of June 30, the country registers 25,745 cases of measles, of which 7,260 were confirmed through laboratory tests, 2,813 by epidemiological link – that is, people who had contact with a confirmed case – and 15,672 meet the clinical criteria for the disease, although a sample was not taken for confirmation.
Erika Gaitán, medical epidemiologist responsible for the Surveillance of Preventable Events by Vaccination of the Directorate of Epidemiology and Risk Management of the MSPAS, reported that 82% of the affected people are already in the recovery process.
The official explained that the virus has already affected the majority of the national territory. Of the country’s 340 municipalities, 90% have reported one or more cases, although the outbreak continues to be concentrated in the department of Guatemala.
He added that sustained transmission also continues in Quiché, Quetzaltenango, Chimaltenango and Izabal, departments where new cases continue to be confirmed.
The most affected
According to official data, the age group with the highest incidence continues to be people between 15 and 39 years old, which is why the authorities maintain vaccination strategies aimed at that population.
In the department of Guatemala, an intensive immunization campaign is being carried out in its 17 municipalities. The day includes an additional dose for children from 6 months to under one year old, known as zero dose; the application of the regular schedule for children under 16 years of age or people with incomplete schedules, and vaccination for people between 16 and 39 years of age.
In the rest of the country, Health continues with lockdown vaccination. This strategy consists of immunizing people who have had contact with a confirmed case or who are part of their travel routes up to the age of 49, with the aim of containing the spread of the virus.
The authorities reiterated the call to the population to complete the vaccination schedules and immediately go to health services in the presence of symptoms compatible with measles, especially in municipalities where infections have been detected.
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