Yucatán Urges Measles Vaccination Amid Rising Cases

Yucatán, Mexico — In response to the resurgence of measles in some parts of the country, the Yucatán Secretary of Health (SSY) has issued a renewed call for the population to reinforce preventive measures and prevent the virus from spreading within the state, as has occurred in other federal entities.

According to the most recent report from the federal Secretary of Health, updated to September 29, Mexico has registered 4,737 cases of measles, with 38 new infections reported in the last 48 hours.

In Yucatán, only one case has been confirmed so far, although there are 49 patients under suspicion of contagion in recent weeks. Despite the state being among the four with the fewest confirmed cases, alongside Chiapas, Nuevo León, and Querétaro, it is also one of those with the most suspected cases, with 49 in total. This figure is considerably lower than that of other entities where more than 100 measles suspicions are reported.

Awareness Campaign and Preventive Measures

Although the situation in Yucatán appears to be under control, the SSY has reinforced an awareness campaign since August to educate the population on the importance of preventing the spread of measles. Among the most prominent recommendations is to be alert for symptoms of the disease, which include fever, rash, cough, nasal congestion, and conjunctivitis.

Upon the appearance of any of these symptoms, authorities urge individuals to go to their nearest health center to receive medical attention.

Vaccination, the Primary Prevention Tool

One of the pillars of the preventive campaign is vaccination. The SSY reminds the public that the measles vaccine should be administered in two doses: the first at 12 months of age and the second at 18 months. Furthermore, any person between 10 and 49 years of age who has not completed their vaccination schedule should go to the nearest health unit to receive the necessary doses and avoid complications should they contract the virus.

Other Recommendations for Preventing Measles

In addition to vaccination, health authorities recommend a series of hygiene and prevention measures to curb the transmission of the virus. These include frequent hand washing, avoiding close contact with sick people, covering one's mouth when sneezing, properly disposing of used tissues, and avoiding sharing eating utensils and personal items.