THREE cases of measles have been confirmed in the Murcia region with up to 400 people being traced following a baptism ceremony in Alcantarilla.
Those affected are two unvaccinated adults and an eleven-month-old baby who had not yet received the first dose of the MMR vaccine because it was too young.
The adults were born between the late 70’s and early 80’s and were not jabbed against measles but were not exposed to the virus in their early years.
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One of the infected trio has been hospitalised according to health authorities.
Murcia’s Director General of Public Health, Jesus Guillen, said on Tuesday that the region’s Epidemiology Service has activated a control and trace protocol.
It is working on two fronts, namely to work out the source of the outbreak and to prevent the virus from spreading to other susceptible individuals.
They are tracing close contacts and analysing potential symptoms consistent with measles.
Jesus Guillen said: “It was easy to locate the attendees, since the baptism event organiser knew everyone present and each person has been tested individually.”
“It’s not a worrying situation,” insisted Guillen, who stated that ‘most people have either had the disease or are vaccinated’.
He added that the main risk groups consist of unvaccinated people and children who are not yet old enough to receive the MMR vaccine.
Guillen said that the vaccine is between 95 and 97% effective.
Epidemiological surveillance and health staff have been told to increase monitoring of possible suspected cases with symptoms such as high fever and skin rashes.
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