The health authorities in the Canary Islands have officially declared the recent measles outbreak in Tenerife as closed. No new cases have been reported, and the stipulated time period for managing such outbreaks has passed.
This outbreak involved four confirmed cases of measles, with three children and one adult affected.
The initial case was a minor who had not received vaccination, while the two affected children had not yet reached the age for vaccination.
Over 400 contacts of the affected individuals have been monitored by the General Directorate of Public Health to check their vaccination status and provide guidance on symptom management if needed.
Emphasising the significance of vaccination, the General Directorate of Public Health highlights that measles transmission can be prevented through vaccination. No new cases have been reported in years.
It is reiterated that vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent measles contraction and transmission.
The measles vaccine is administered in two doses, at 12 months and at three years, with 95 percent of the population in the Canary Islands receiving the first dose during infancy.
Measles is a contagious disease that starts with fever, nasal congestion, cough, and the appearance of erythematous spots on the oral mucosa.
A rash typically follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the body, appearing 3 to 7 days after initial symptoms. Measles is highly contagious, spreading through the air or direct contact with infected individuals.
In 2017, Spain was declared measles-free by the World Health Organization due to limited cases. Nonetheless, recent reports have indicated cases in nine autonomous communities, with outbreaks occurring in five of them.
