SP has second confirmed case of measles this year

The Government of São Paulo confirmed this week the second case of measles in the state in 2022, identified in Cubatão. The first record, in São Paulo, was made in February. The Secretary of State for Health did not inform the age of the people or if they were vaccinated, nor how many notifications are under analysis.

The two confirmed cases are of autochthonous transmission, when the patient contracts the disease in his own state, without traveling to another place.

In Brazil, until March 26, there were 13 notifications of the disease, according to data from the Health Surveillance Secretariat, of the Ministry of Health. Amapá had 12 occurrences, while, until then, São Paulo had registered only one. According to the folder, 98 suspected cases are still under investigation.

For Mônica Levi, president of the Commission for Reviewing Vaccination Schedules of Sbim (Brazilian Society of Immunizations), the moment is of concern. “We have three campaigns that will happen simultaneously [sarampo, gripe e Covid]. It is difficult to organize this in the country, but it is the desperation to control these diseases”, she says.

Brazil received, in 2016, the official certificate of eradication of the measles virus and, in 2017, also did not register any case. The following year, however, there was an outbreak, with 10,346 occurrences of the disease.

In 2019, in addition to losing its certification as a “measles virus-free country”, 20,901 cases were recorded nationwide. The following year, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health confirmed 8,448 occurrences and, in 2021, 668.

In São Paulo, according to the State Health Department, in 2021 there were 9 confirmed cases and, in 2020, 883 records.

Last year, Brazil confirmed two deaths from measles, both in Amapá. The two babies, aged 4 and 7 months, had not been immunized against the virus. According to Levi, immunosuppressed and malnourished children are more likely to die.

“It is absurd, it is inconceivable to have deaths in children from a disease that is totally prevented by vaccination”, says the doctor.

According to Raquel Stucchi, a professor at Unicamp and a consultant for the SBI (Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases), a child over one year of age who has both doses of the vaccine up to date is considered completely protected against measles.

“We do in some states, including São Paulo, a dose with six months, which we call zero dose, depending on the cases of measles that have occurred, to provide protection from six months to a year old”, he explains.

“Having measles before the age of one is because you have someone close [à criança] with the virus that was not vaccinated. In children under two years the severity is greater.”

MEASLES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN

Since April 4, a national vaccination campaign against measles and flu has been carried out, aimed at health professionals. From May 3, the focus will be on children between 6 months and under 5 years old (ie up to 4 years, 11 months and 29 days).

In São Paulo, the target audience against measles reaches 12.9 million. The goal of the State Department of Health is to reach 95% of children.

The country has registered a decrease in the immunization of children in recent years, even though the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is available year-round in health facilities.

In São Paulo, last year, health agents applied the first dose to 73.8% of the target audience, while 60.1% received the second dose. The recommended is an interval of 30 days between the two immunizations.

In 2020, in the state, 85.2% were immunized with the first dose and 67.1% with the second. In the previous year, coverage was 91.8% for the first dose and 82.5% for the second dose.

“The awareness of parents and guardians about the importance of routine immunization, not just in an epidemic or pandemic moment, such as the current one, is essential to protect children”, says the Secretary of State for Health, in a note.

Levi also stresses the importance of getting immunized. “When you run a campaign, you have a focus, a target audience that you aim to reach. The MMR is routinely available at health posts for everyone, and anyone who is susceptible should be vaccinated.”

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, childhood immunization campaigns were hampered in the country. Many families stopped taking children to health facilities for fear of the transmission of the coronavirus. In addition, the Jair Bolsonaro (PL) government cut spending on vaccination advertising.

The result was a historic drop in the immunization of children and adolescents in 2021, with the worst vaccination coverage in more than 30 years.

At the same time, during the pandemic, little contact with other children in schools and day care, social distancing measures and continued mask use helped to contain the transmission of measles and other viruses.