In an interview with Opção Newspaperimmunologist, allergist and otolaryngologist Márcio Niemeyer reinforces that measles is a highly transmissible disease and that vaccination is the only effective form of prevention. According to him, the first confirmed case of the disease on Brazilian soil (São Paulo), from a patient who passed through Bolivia, raised alarm among health authorities regarding the circulation of the virus.
“Measles has a very high transmission rate. Of every 10 people who come into contact with a case, 8 can become infected. It is a huge transmissibility, even greater than that of Covid”, he warned.
Niemeyer explains that, at first, the disease can be confused with a strong flu, with high fever, runny nose, prostration and, in some cases, conjunctivitis. Then, red spots appear on the skin and characteristic signs such as Koplik spots on the mucous membrane of the mouth. He also highlights that measles can develop into serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, and that there is no specific antiviral treatment, only supportive measures.
“There is no treatment for measles. What we do is supportive treatment, to alleviate symptoms such as fever and dehydration,” he said.
The expert also reinforces that transmission occurs through respiratory droplets and contact with secretions and contaminated surfaces, such as sneezing, coughing, kissing and sharing objects. He also remembers that vaccination is essential to prevent outbreaks.
“Vaccination is the only way to prevent measles. There is no discussion about that”, he highlighted.
Goiás maintains alert for measles and reinforces vaccination
The superintendent of Epidemiological Surveillance and Immunization at the State Department of Health of Goiás (SES-GO), Cristina Laval, reinforces that the State maintains constant surveillance in the face of the risk of reintroduction of the disease.
“Measles is always a concern for us, because, in several countries in South America and North America, we have confirmed cases. As it is a highly transmissible disease, monitoring and surveillance are always present”, he stated.
According to her, confirming cases in Brazil requires increased attention and immediate actions, such as blocking vaccination and contact monitoring.
“One case can secondarily generate several other cases, hence the importance of the measures that need to be adopted in the face of a suspected case,” he said.
Cristina also appealed to parents and guardians to keep their children’s vaccinations up to date, highlighting that immunization is safe, free and essential to prevent outbreaks.
“We appeal to parents to take their children to update their vaccination card. We need high vaccination coverage, still below the 95% recommended by the Ministry of Health”, he highlighted.
She reinforces that the vaccine creates a “protective shield” against the circulation of the virus and prevents its spread if it enters the country.
Currently, Goiás has no confirmed cases of measles, but maintains constant monitoring of suspicions, collecting tests and blocking actions when necessary.
SES-GO reported that, in 2025, MMR vaccination coverage in children under 2 years old was 89.91% in the first dose and 58.52% in the second. The guidance is that, when faced with symptoms such as fever with patches on the skin, cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis, the population should immediately seek a health service.
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