After facing a measles outbreak in 2015 in Ceará, Brazil completed this month a year without cases. With this, the country stops endemic circulation of this infectious disease. The finding was made by the president of the International Committee of Evaluation and Measles Elimination Documentation, Merceline Dalh-Regis, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported Tuesday (computer translated).
This result was achieved through a joint effort of the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO), the Ministry of Health and the Ceará State Health Departments and the cities of Fortaleza and Caucaia, of universities and the Brazilian Association of Nursing.
PAHO / WHO contributed to the action investing $ 1.2 million to support the costs of actions to control the outbreak and the recruitment of 165 nurses and nursing assistants. These professionals participated in the mapping of areas with greater transmission of measles. The initiative allowed the vaccination was done both in Basic Health Units and in the homes of people living in the areas with the largest circulation of the virus of the disease.
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The international organization also distributed to all the municipalities 10 000 copies of a disc-shaped tool designed to facilitate the investigation of suspected cases of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. one for each municipality and the 34 Special Indigenous Health Districts (DSEIs) was delivered. Moreover, in the localities where they were reported imported cases of measles 2013 to 2015, was given one for each health unit.
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