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Measles cases soar in Brazil, Venezuela: UN agency
WASHINGTON, Dec 1, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Pan-American Health Organization on
Friday reported a big jump in measles cases in the Americas this year, with
Brazil surpassing crisis-hit Venezuela as the nation with the most confirmed
cases.
As of November 30, the region has seen 16,766 confirmed cases — but more
than half of those have been reported in the last month, the UN agency said
in its regular update on the situation.
Brazil now has nearly 10,000 confirmed cases — but more than three-
quarters of them were reported since last month. The vast majority of cases
have been reported in Amazonas state, the PAHO said.
Thirteen people have died of measles in the vast South American country.
In Venezuela, which is in the throes of a major economic crisis that has
led to widespread shortages of medicine, there have been more than 6,300
cases confirmed this year — and more than 70 deaths.
The Pan-American Health Organization is the regional arm of the World
Health Organization, which on Thursday signalled a more than 30 percent spike
in measles cases worldwide last year as compared with 2016.
Measles is a highly contagious disease, which can cause severe diarrhea,
pneumonia and vision loss, and ultimately can be fatal.
The PAHO urged Latin American countries to work harder on vaccination
campaigns in at-risk areas and border zones.
It also asked government health authorities to maintain 95 percent coverage
of the first and second doses of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1051 hrs