The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert due to the recent identification of clusters and cases of measles in the Americas.
The organisation has strongly urged countries to intensify their vaccination and surveillance efforts in response to the critical situation.
In the alert on Monday, PAHO reported that, up to October 5 this year, more than 14,000 suspected measles cases have been registered.
According to a PAHO release, there were 376 confirmed in eight countries of the Americas, mainly in the United States (267 cases), Canada (82) and Argentina (11).
Most of these cases are imported or related to importation.
The PAHO release disclosed that the Americas region was certified as free of rubella in 2015 and endemic measles in 2016.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children and can cause serious complications, including severe diarrhea, ear infections, blindness, pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Some of these complications can be fatal.
The most affected age group includes children aged 1 to 9 and young adults aged 20 to 29.
PAHO said fifty-seven percent of confirmed cases were unvaccinated, and in 28%, their vaccination status was unknown, highlighting the urgent need to address gaps in vaccination coverage.
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