QUITO, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) — Ecuador activated a surveillance and prevention protocol in response to the epidemiological alert due to high risk of measles issued by Peru, a country with which it shares a border, the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) reported today Saturday.
“In Ecuador, until today, no cases of indigenous or imported measles have been confirmed,” the health ministry said in a statement.
He added that, through the National Liaison Center for International Health Regulations, he maintains coordination with the health authorities of Peru for the exchange of official information.
Additionally, as a preventive measure, a risk assessment is carried out within the framework of the Multi-Threat Response Plan, taking into account the migratory flow and vaccination coverage.
Among the actions adopted, active surveillance to search for cases stands out; strategic vaccination in vulnerable areas and high-traffic points such as schools, terminals and airports; and preventive isolation and use of protective equipment in the event of any clinical suspicion.
The ministry stressed that measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious complications, such as blindness, pneumonia or encephalitis, and that vaccination is the only effective protection.
In this context, he announced that doses against measles will be applied to the vulnerable population.
Babies aged 6 to 11 months will be vaccinated with a “Zero Dose” in eight provinces with high migration; and international travelers, who must be vaccinated at least 15 days before traveling to countries with active transmission such as Peru, Argentina, the United States, Mexico, Canada or Costa Rica.
Contacts of cases will receive preventive vaccination; children from 1 to 6 years old will have their scheme verified; The population aged 7 to 26 will receive one dose if they are not vaccinated, and adults aged 27 and older will receive two doses if they do not have a vaccination history. End
