Colombia Measles Cases 2011

[Tonka]

http://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/vida-sana/alerta-por-caso-de-sarampion-en-barranquilla-38607

Spanish to English translation


Alert measles case in Barranquilla, Colombia
Bogot?, Colprensa | Posted on August 17, 2011


The Ministry of Social Protection alerted health authorities in Barranquilla to a confirmed case of measles in this city last week. " The importance of monitoring to confirm the case of measles in a teenage girl from Barranquilla who was the previous month in Brazil , "said Director of Public Health, Lenis Urquijo. The official said there have been no other cases of measles among the relatives and people close to the teenager, but it is necessary to take steps to prevent an outbreak in the region. Meanwhile, the director of the National Institutes of Health, Juan Gonzalo Lopez said the teenager could become infected in Brazil, but "we should work on the assumption that it did in Colombia, in contact with people of foreign delegations as has happened in previous global and therefore we must make a thorough search and active and alert throughout the area, "he said. During 2011 there have been outbreaks of measles in Canada (460 cases), United States (174); Brazil (17), Chile (6), Panama (4), Mexico (2) and the Dominican Republic (1).

[Tonka]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/barranquilla/ARTICULO-WEB-NEW_NOTA_INTERIOR-10339892.html

Spanish to English translation

Welfare Min measles alert in the Atlantic Coast
By: EDITORIAL ElTiempo.com | 9:51 pm | September 11, 2011

Commission of the Ministry urged doctors to pay close attention to this disease.

With nine years without even one case, Colombia was in the process of certification as a country free of measles and rubella until they appeared a month ago, the first case in Barranquilla, where yesterday and arrived at five all in the inner circle first affected.
On Thursday, when the fourth case was confirmed, the district mayor declared a red alert and members of the commission of the Ministry of Social Protection, which came to town to accompany social mobilization aimed at curbing the outbreak invited the public to Parents encourage children to be vaccinated against measles and rubella, as doctors begin to think seriously in the first disease.
"What you do not see, I do not think, and until three or four months we did not think the measles," said the coordinator of the immunization program of the Ministry of Social Protection, Diego Alejandro Garcia, who emphasized that the goal is one : not present a case.
The susceptible population is between 10 and 19 years. She is seeking, identifying and vaccinating in areas where there are considerable number of young people, such as educational institutions, supermarkets, youth clubs and military installations.
He explained that the lower age range and was immunized with a day of intensified last year, which were vaccinated 6.5 million children between 1 and 8 years old.
"We believe that the population over 20 years have adequate coverage and has had contact with the virus, which has immunity," he said.
Because of the high circulation between the departments, the fence includes the Atlantic, Magdalena and Bolivar. In this first approach, the goal is to vaccinate in Barranquilla 209,000 young people (one hundred have been arranged for this vaccination posts) and add 223,000 of the Atlantic. On the coast, the goal is to reach young 1'100 .000.
Shielding in Cartagena
Having declared a red alert in the capital of the Atlantic, Cartagena health authorities put up a 'wall' of prevention to avoid measles outbreak in the city. District Health Department stepped up efforts to vaccinate the population between 10 and 19 years, Enrique Mazenett, public health director, called on parents to go as soon as possible to the nearest health post to vaccinate their children measles and rubella. "Especially those who are frequent travelers," the official recommended.

[Tonka]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.aspx?id=1546251

Spanish to English translation

Investigate possible sixth case of measles in Barranquilla
Caracol | September 12, 2011
Vote:Average: 0 votes
Comment on this article

Social Protection Ministry investigates Barranquilla possible infection in a sixth case, that would be familiar to one of the last patients reported. So said Diego Alejandro Garcia, coordinator of the Expanded Program on Immunization of the Ministry of Social Protection. Also explained that since the first case known in the capital of the Atlantic, preventive measures were taken in the cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta understanding that the traffic between these three cities is very high. In addition, the ministry said that before May the other years, there will be a national vaccination campaign since at present all efforts are focused in the city of Barranquilla. For its part, the Health Ministry in Bogota, explained Elkin Osorio, head of Public Health Surveillance, that although there is no outbreak alert in the capital, authorities are already taking the respective measures to prevent their arrival.

[Tonka]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

http://www.semana.com/nacion/plan-choque-contra-brote-sarampion-barranquilla/164114-3.aspx

Spanish to English translation

Emergency plan against measles outbreak in Barranquilla

Week Archive
HEALTH While in the United States discuss the situation of measles in the world, the Ministry of Social Protection activated a vaccination campaign in the Caribbean coast. In Barranquilla reported five cases.
Wednesday September 14, 2011

After missing for nine years, measles returned to the country. In recent weeks there were five reported cases in Barranquilla, and after the declaration of red alert, the Ministry of Social Protection has launched an emergency plan on the Caribbean coast. The goal: to vaccinate young to 1,100,000 in the departments of Atlantico, Bolivar and Magdalena. Martha Rodriguez, Barranquilla health secretary, said that the priority is to vaccinate 209,720 children, young people between the ages of 10 and 19. According the official, this population is most vulnerable for having low vaccination coverage for this disease. "It is a susceptible population because he received the vaccination at the time and was not covered 100 percent," he says. And children under 8 years are protected after participating in November 2010, national campaigns eradication of rubella and measles. Rodr?guez said that the first case of measles was reported in a 15 year old girl, who since Aug. 5 began to suffer symptoms. She traveled to Brazil and visited six cities from 21 last July 25. Days later, two more cases were reported in the family of the child. Then, there were two other cases, this time it was two children who attend a religious community. The health secretary said that parents are responsible in the first phase of vaccination for their children, however, reinforcements are "disordered." Rodriguez recalled that the measles vaccination is free and is applicable to any IPS. According to the director of the National Institutes of Health, Juan Gonzalo Lopez, the last outbreak of measles in the country occurred in 2002. "At that time were 139 confirmed cases, which generated an array of epidemiological and vaccination measures were able to contain it," Lopez recalled. It should be noted that when completed the vaccination on the Caribbean coast, the immunization campaign will be deployed throughout Colombian until 31 May. Following reported cases of measles in Barranquilla, heard the complaint of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), draws attention to the resurgence of measles in the world and the need to curb these outbreaks. According to Florence Fermon, MSF coordinator, "other epidemics occur in the near future. Do not expect to happen to act. We need an effective system to anticipate future outbreaks and be prepared in advance to respond." For now, the international community begins to respond to calls. During the 13th and the September 14 meeting in Washington, United States, health sectors involved in the Measles Initiative, to advance the struggle for the elimination of this disease.

[Shiloh]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

Source: http://colombiareports.com/colombia-...8-million.html

Measles outbreak in Colombia, govt rushes to vaccinate 8 million
Friday, 16 September 2011 13:45 Sarah Cast

Six confirmed cases of measles in Barranquilla, the fourth most populous city in Colombia, have led the Colombian government to embark on a mission to vaccinate over eight million people within the next eight months.

Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Beatriz Londo?o asked those who have not yet been vaccinated against measles to do so immediately, according to Caracol Radio...

[Tonka]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

http://www.rcnradio.com/noticias/gobierno-reconoce-que-podra-haber-mas-ca-108775

Spanish to English translation

Government acknowledges that there may be more cases of measles

09-15-2011

By: RCN Radio
Despite the efforts and institutional coordination to control the outbreak of measles, which currently leaves six confirmed cases in three families north of Barranquilla, the Government admitted that more patients can be registered.
"Very likely we will have more cases than we have today, but we will do our best Everything You are, so that the joint work with health ministries and all sectors, we can effectively stop it," acknowledged Deputy Minister of Health , Beatriz Londo?o Soto. He assured the existence of vaccines in the country to carry out the epidemiological component of the fence, and prevent the spread of disease. "We deliver enough vaccine, no vaccine at this time in the country and we are bringing more vaccine with the help of the Pan American Health Organization, "he said. It also recommended isolation of suspected and confirmed cases, for a period of about five days to prevent the spread of familiar people, including relatives or neighbors. "Secretariats Health, after receiving the report of suspected cases immediately should make the visit, do all the follow up to identify, and that person should stay home, as far as possible with insulation to prevent you from infecting others , even in his own home ", he said.

[Tonka]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

http://www.rcnradio.com/node/108905

Spanish to English translation

And 7 are cases of measles in Barranquilla

09-17-2011
Authorities confirmed a new case of measles in the country
By: RCN Barranquilla
An 8-month-old became the seventh case of measles in Barranquilla, confirmed the National Institutes of Health. The girl and her family, living in the south of the city, are checked by the health authorities in the capital of the Atlantic.
The district health secretary, Martha Rodriguez, said it was a case of a patient living in the neighborhood of La Magdalena, south of Barranquilla, generating concern that the 6 previous cases had been recorded in strata 5 and 6. This represents that the virus is reaching out to other areas of Barranquilla therefore be intensified control measures, she said. The laboratory results warn other 3 highly suspect cases, which have not been delivered yet by the National Institute of Health. is awaiting the results of another 35 suspected cases of patients living in both the north and the south of the city. So far we have implemented more than 84 000 doses of vaccine against the disease.

[Tonka]

Re: Colombia Measles Cases 2011

http://www.semana.com/nacion/evoluciona-plan-choque-contra-sarampion/164445-3.aspx

Spanish to English translation

Emergency plan evolves for measles

Courtesy. Social Protection Ministry. The Ministry of Social Protection issued a call to all travelers going to move to the Atlantic Coast for 15 days before travel, be vaccinated against measles and rubella, for free.
HEALTH Secretary of Health confirmed that 102,730 young Barranquilla between 10 and 19 have been vaccinated. The number of positive cases remains at seven.
Tuesday September 20, 2011

More than 300 000 doses of vaccine have been applied in the Atlantic Coast and confirmed by the Ministry of Social Protection to remember that the goal is to reach one million one hundred thousand doses. The Director General of Public Health, Ministry of Social Protection, Lenis Enrique Urquijo , said that of 300 000 doses administered, 91 000 correspond to the district of Barranquilla, where he appeared the first case of measles. "They have been applied in the Atlantic 60 000, 46 000 and 39 000 in Bolivar in Cartagena," he said.


Meanwhile, Martha Rodriguez, Barranquilla Health Ministry confirmed that still stands at seven the number of positive cases and noted that until Tuesday it has complied with the vaccination of 48% of the population between 10 and 19, ie 102,730 children and teens are already protected. The official recalled that the goal is to immunize 209,720 people who belong to this age range, which suffered in previous years of poor immunization coverage, close to 86 percent . According to Rodriguez, 14 percent of children and adolescents who were not vaccinated due to the negligence of parents, among other reasons: "Some wrote letters to schools to immunize them to us their children. Vaccination is a joint effort between government, community and family, "Rodriguez recalled. However, the secretariat noted that 70 percent students from schools in Barranquilla are already protected against the disease. In the balance of the vaccination campaign, Director General of Public Health noted that "the biological and materials for the three departments of Atlantico, Bolivar and Magdalena, adding operating expenses, resources have been moved five billion pesos." He added that this Tuesday will be completed deliver 800 million dollars to six local health centers of the Atlantic Coast. He added that at the end of the vaccination campaign in this part of the country, neighboring departments will be prioritized as Cesar, the Santanderes, Cordoba, La Guajira, Sucre and Antioquia. Recommendations According to the Ministry of Social Protection, the application of the vaccine for Travelers to the Atlantic Coast should be ten days in advance: "For two weeks after application is supposed to already high levels of antibodies to prevent this disease, or alternatively, that if you have this is mild "said Urquijo. Finally, Gobienro terminals ensures that land, air and sea of the Atlantic Coast there is sufficient availability of inputs and for whom vaccination sites and want to enter the vaccine. With respect to Bogot?, the Health Ministry said although the capital is still not recorded any cases of measles, according to the order of Ministry of Social Protection, 500 doses will apply for those traveling in the next two weeks at the Atlantic Coast. The vaccination sites are located in Terminal and Airport Transport Eldorado. Interview with Juan Gonzalo Lopez, director of the National Institute for Health What is the coverage of measles vaccination in the Atlantic Coast? In 2010, 6,406,221 doses were applied against measles and rubella in children between 1 and 8 years, reflecting coverage in this age group of 93.4% across the country. Atlantic: 85.6% Barranquilla: 112.5% Bol?var: 94% Cartagena: 108.4% C?rdoba: 101, 3% Guajira: 98.5% Magdalena: 99.4%-Sta. Marta: 98.2% Sucre: 98.1 Source: Ministry of Social Protection (MPS) - Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Is it true that since 2002 did not present a case of measles in Colombia? In our country the last outbreak of measles occurred in 2002 with a balance of more than 6,000 suspected cases and 139 confirmed cases associated with the genotype D9. For several years the country continued to work to eliminate this disease, which required a major effort in surveillance, laboratory and immunization. What are the strategies for dealing with this outbreak? is developing a strategy that has several components, one of which is to vaccinate the population between 10 and 19. This activity began in the District of Barranquilla and nearby areas, in addition to the Magdalena and Bolivar. This same strategy was extended to the rest of the country as scheduled by the Ministry. Additionally, working on strengthening of epidemiological surveillance to identify cases, their active search, training, technical assistance and support from the NRL-INS and work in conjunction with the EPS-IPS, and local authorities. What is measles? is a viral disease, infectious, and the presence of fever outbreak in the body. In some cases there may be complications in the lungs and brain, which puts at risk the patient's life. It occurs especially in children or adolescents. The evolution of the illness usually lasts four to twelve days. However, infected people can transmit it to others since the first symptoms (fever or cough). Even in three or five days after the outbreak may appear the skin. There is no specific therapy for the treatment of the disease, however, can be prevented by vaccination.