Mexico this week surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases of measles reported since January last year due to an outbreak that has claimed 31 lives, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health (SSA). According to figures from the Special System for Epidemiological Surveillance of Exanthematous Febrile Diseases, the country has already registered 10,085 confirmed cases, of which three new infections have been counted this week. This makes Mexico one of the epicenters of the measles outbreak on the American continent, more than tripling the United States, another of the most affected countries with more than 3,190 cases, according to U.S. authorities. In Mexico, the population group with the most cases is children under 1 to 4 years old (1,456), followed closely by the 5 to 9 age group (1,221). The states with the most cases are: Jalisco; Chihuahua; and Chiapas. There are a total of 31 confirmed deaths, with Chihuahua (21 deceased) being the federal entity that has recorded the most deaths. Meanwhile, the National Electoral Institute (INE) reported this Wednesday that one of its workers contracted measles, so it will reinforce its prevention measures to avoid an increase in cases among its staff. Among the measures adopted, the INE ordered that for the next five days, those persons whose functions strictly require their presence at the facilities will work in person. In addition, this Thursday it will carry out an intensive vaccination day against measles at its Mexico City office, aimed at workers aged 49 and under who require it. Given the increase in infections, President Claudia Sheinbaum affirmed this Tuesday that the government has enough vaccines to immunize the population and emphasized that to date, more than 16 million vaccines have been administered. 'We insist a lot that girls and boys be vaccinated, which is very important because it is the most vulnerable population and also in certain states of the Republic from 13 to 49 years old. There are 27 million vaccines, they are being distributed well, there is no problem with vaccine shortages,' the head of state stated during her morning press conference. EFE
