By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

During the first six weeks of 2021, Brazil has reported 54 confirmed cases of measles. 250 suspected cases have been reported, of which 54 (22%) were confirmed, 35 (14%) were discarded, and 161 (64%) remain under investigation. No deaths were reported.

Image/CDC

Last year, Brazil reported more than 8000 confirmed cases and 10 deaths due to measles.

Elsewhere in the Americas, the only other country to report confirmed measles cases in French Guiana (2), but currently, only Brazil is reporting active outbreaks of measles–in Amapá, Pará and São Paulo states.

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In fact, the measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person was there. People may be infected by simply being in a room where an infected person once was. It is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

Got Smallpox?

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective.