RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – No measles cases have been reported in Paraguay since 1998, and Paraguay is one of the few countries in the region that has not reported a case in more than 20 years. However, this abstinence from measles could be shattered by reporting the first case at San Pablo Hospital in Asunción.
According to the hospital’s director, Dr. Vicente Acuña, it is a suspicious and isolated case. All investigations are currently underway to confirm or clarify whether it is the first case in 23 years.
“It is a completely isolated and suspicious case that has not been confirmed. We should not be alarmed, but it should attract the attention of all health personnel,” said the expert, who was in contact with 780 AM radio station.
He assured that the appropriate studies are currently being conducted on the patient housed at the health center. “Studies will be conducted until confirmation is received. As a hospital, it is our responsibility to report the occurrence of a suspected case,” he said.
He reminded that measles is transmitted from person to person, especially in adolescents and children, so a complete vaccination schedule is critical. “Rashes, fever, malaise, and discomfort are some of the symptoms,” he said.
MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN COVID-19
Infectious disease specialist, Tomás Mateo Balmelli explained that the measles virus is much more contagious than the coronavirus. “Measles is much more contagious than other respiratory viruses, even more contagious than SARS, and social isolation is more difficult,” he told Universo 970 AM.
He said that the virus spreads much farther than two meters in the air and that since it is a respiratory virus, it can enter the body more easily. He said it usually enters through the conjunctiva of the eyes and the respiratory tract.
“This is not uncommon because many mothers have failed to vaccinate their children during quarantine,” he said.
He cautioned that the measles outbreak does not only affect children, as many believe, but it can also occur in older adults. “The incubation period for measles is 15 to 21 days before the first symptoms appear,” he said.
According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, there have been no measles cases in Paraguay since 1998.
Still, the risk of the virus being introduced into the country remains latent due to the number of cases reported in the region, making it important that susceptible individuals are vaccinated.