Puebla is facing a measles outbreak, with 202 confirmed cases and 458 probable cases, according to the official report as of March 30, placing the state second in the nation for the number of infections. The state Health Department is maintaining close surveillance in 19 municipalities where outbreaks have been detected.
In response to this situation, the Health Department (SSA) has launched a mass immunization campaign, vaccinating 1,176,000 people over a five-week period. The strategy aims to break the chain of transmission through the intensive application of vaccines at health centers and mobile vaccination units.
During Monday’s morning press conference, the head of the department, Joaquín Espidio Camarillo, affirmed that in Puebla, “we will not let our guard down,” after reporting that the health strategy is focused on containing the spread of the virus, which currently affects 106 men and 96 women in the state. Nationally, he admitted that Puebla ranks second in the number of confirmed cases, only behind Mexico City.
Camarillo acknowledged that this statistic has raised alarms among health authorities, who are maintaining epidemiological surveillance in the 19 municipalities where outbreaks have been identified. At the Comprehensive Services Center (CIS) in Angelópolis, he emphasized the importance of prevention and the speed of the institutional response to the new measles cases.
“We have administered 1,176,000 doses in just five weeks. The goal is clear: to block the chain of transmission. Puebla is responding with technical rigor, but we need citizens to go to health centers if they experience symptoms,” the official stated. He stressed that timely vaccination and follow-up of suspected cases are key to curbing the spread of the virus.
According to the graphs presented by the Ministry of Health (SSA), the current tally of the disease reveals 458 probable cases, 198 ruled out, and 202 confirmed cases in 19 municipalities of the state. “It is important to clarify that this statistic includes 3 cases that, although detected and confirmed in our state, correspond to citizens of other states of the Republic,” he pointed out.
The Secretary of Health urged the public to continue following preventive measures against measles in Puebla, especially for minors and adults who do not have a complete vaccination schedule. He recommended visiting the nearest medical unit to complete their vaccination record, maintaining frequent handwashing to reduce the risk of transmission through contact, practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquette, and not self-medicating in case of fever or the appearance of a rash.
Camarillo concluded that the state health system has a sufficient supply of vaccines and that medical units remain on alert for the timely detection of new suspected cases of measles. He added that the Ministry of Health will maintain vaccination centers and ongoing monitoring in the municipalities with the highest incidence.
Source: lajornadadeoriente
