Brazil measles: Ongoing outbreaks in Pará, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states

November 17, 2020

Headlines, Latin America and the Caribbean

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Of the 8,479 confirmed cases of measles reported in the Western Hemisphere during the first nine-plus months of 2020, nearly 97 percent have been reported in Brazil, and while the cases in Brazil have been in decline coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, several state report ongoing outbreaks.

Western hemisphere map
Public domain image/ E Pluribus Anthony

Through Oct. 9, a total of 16,169 suspected measles cases have been reported in Brazil, of which 8,202 (51%) were confirmed, including 7 deaths.

The four federal units with ongoing outbreaks in 2020 (reporting cases in the past 90 days) are: Pará with 5,287 confirmed cases including 5 deaths, Rio de Janeiro with 1,333 confirmed cases including 1 death, São Paulo with 822 confirmed cases including 1 death, and Amapá with 107 confirmed cases.

In Pará state, 3,638 of the confirmed cases (69%) were unvaccinated, 670 (13%) were vaccinated (information regarding the number of doses per person was unavailable). For 979 cases (18%), no information regarding vaccination status was available.

In Rio de Janeiro State, among the confirmed cases, 497 (37%) were unvaccinated, 500 (38%) were vaccinated (information regarding the number of doses per person was unavailable). For 336 cases (25%), no information regarding vaccination status was available.

Among the confirmed cases in São Paulo state, 284 (34%) were unvaccinated, 378 (46%) were vaccinated (information regarding the number of doses per person was unavailable). For 160 cases (20%), no information regarding vaccination status was available.

The predominant genotype and lineage in 2020 continue to be D8, lineage MVs/Gir Somnath. IND/42.16/, which was also circulating in 2019.

Other countries in the Americas reporting confirmed measles cases in 2020 include Argentina (61 cases
including 1 death), Bolivia (2 cases), Canada (1 case), Chile (2 cases), Colombia (1 case), Mexico (196 cases), the United States of America (12 cases), and Uruguay (2 cases).