Portugal registered two new cases of measles in the last week, bringing the total number of confirmed infections since the beginning of the year to 25, indicates the epidemiological bulletin released by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS).
According to data from DGS, the two new cases of measles, an infection caused by a virus and considered one of the most contagious, were confirmed in the North and Center regions.
From January 1st to April 28th, there were 25 cases of measles were confirmed in Portugal, four of which led to hospitalization, out of a total of 176 suspected cases reported, with three cases being investigated.
Of the measles cases reported, 148 cases were discarded, the general directorate also highlighted the importance of immediate notification to ensure timely intervention to reduce transmission chains.
Measles is an infection caused by a virus that is transmitted from person to person by air, through droplets or aerosols from infected people, such as coughing or sneezing.
According to the DGS, vaccination is the main measure to prevent infection and is free in Portugal.
At the end of April, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned that vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, have been increasing after levels fell during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of measles cases began to increase in 2023 and the trend continued in several Member States of the European Union, with at least 5,770 cases of measles being reported between March 2023 and the end of February 2024, including at least five deaths, according to ECDC.
