Mexican authorities have reported that the measles epidemic in western Texas, which started earlier this year, has now reached the northern state of Chihuahua.
“We are not on alert, we have not urgently declared; But we are worried and we work hard because measles can spread anywhere in the state, “said Dr. Rogelio Covarrubias, head of the Chihuahua Health Department.
Most of the cases were detected in Mennonites communities north of Cuauhtemoc, 270 miles south of El Paso, Texas. The authorities have confirmed 15 cases of measles in a Mennonite community In the west of Chihuahua. A 16th case was confirmed in the city of Namiquipa.
Because measles is so contagious, at least 90% of a community must be vaccinated to prevent epidemics, recommends the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mexican officials are worried because there is no specific account of the number of adults in the Mennonite communities of Mexico is immune to measles. However, children enrolled in Mexican schools generally receive the vaccine.
In Chihuahua, the overall vaccination rate is 75%.
The under-secretary of prevention and health care, Irma Leticia de Jesús Ruiz González, called on parents to complete the vaccination schedules of their children and urged adults under 39 to obtain the measles vaccine if they have not received it.
“It is essential to recognize that the vaccine is a preventive measure,” noted Ruiz, adding that the vaccine is currently available in all the health centers of the various institutions.
Measles is a very contagious disease characterized by a high fever, a rash and, in some cases, respiratory complications that may be fatal. An infected person can transmit the virus between 16 and 18 people, feeding rapid spread, said Dr. Ruiz.
According to the Associated PressThe American epidemic began in a Mennonite community in western Texas with low vaccination rates.
“Many children are educated at home or frequent small private schools, and many are not vaccinated”, “ Moussesaid international executive director Vaccine Access Center.
Chihuahua’s health authorities believe that residents who have a family in Texas or who have traveled there, won the disease at home.
The western and New Mexico communities have reported more than 250 cases. Two non -vaccinated people died of causes related to measles, including an unaccompanied school child. Until Tuesday, 29 people in Texas remained hospitalized due to measles.
On March 10, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 32,488 suspicious cases and 16,144 cumulative cases in the world, mainly in Yemen (7,548) India (6,661) Thailand (6,224) and Ethiopia (4,596).
With reports from Chihuahua Diario,, Border report,, El Heraldo of Chihuahua
