Bolivia declares national health emergency due to measles outbreak

LA PAZ, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia declared a National Health Emergency on Tuesday in response to a measles outbreak that has seen 60 confirmed cases in different parts of the South American country.

"After urgently convening the National Strategic Council for Health Emergencies, in response to the measles epidemic that the country is experiencing and the high risk of the disease spreading, we have decided to declare a National Health Emergency with the firm intention of protecting the health and lives of the Bolivian people," Bolivian President Luis Arce announced on social media.

The measure seeks to contain the spread of the virus through a mass vaccination campaign and a coordinated plan with local and regional governments, and international organizations.

According to Arce, the measure will strengthen the state's response capacity, activate coordinated protocols, and guarantee access to vaccination, especially for children under five years of age.

The president called on the population to cooperate with health authorities and comply with the complete immunization timetable.

"Our duty is clear: to protect our children and the entire population from a threat that has already raised health alerts across the continent," he said.

Health Minister Maria Renee Castro warned that measles -- a highly contagious viral disease -- can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis or even death, especially in children with malnutrition or immunosuppression.

"It is essential that parents get their children vaccinated. The country has 500,000 doses, specifically for girls and boys," she said.

The resurgence of measles in Bolivia, after several years of control, reflects a worrying drop in vaccination rates, attributed to the disruption of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as misinformation and lack of continuity in preventive programs.

Authorities warned that without adequate immunization, the epidemic could worsen in the coming weeks. ■