Holidaymakers have been issued an urgent warning following a measles outbreak in a popular Spanish tourist hotspot. The caution comes as cases in Alcantarilla, Murcia have doubled since the outbreak was declared earlier this month.
Outbreak Details
The region's Ministry of Health has confirmed eight cases of the highly contagious illness. By last Thursday, four cases had been identified, including three adults and a baby. Officials said four patients were infected after contact with another patient. Authorities have been able to limit the spread by tracing the infection chain.
Measles: A Serious Disease
Measles is considered one of the world's most contagious diseases, spread by coughs and sneezes with a contagion rate of nearly 100 percent. According to the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), it is a serious disease that can lead to complications and even death.
The first case was confirmed in the Spanish region on May 5. Initially, the time between symptoms and diagnosis took up to two weeks, but this has now been reduced to four days after symptoms begin.
Containment Efforts
Health Minister Juan Jose Pedreño said control work by the Epidemiology Service has prevented the outbreak from getting out of hand. It was initially thought the spread came from a baptism celebration in Alcantarilla, but this has since been ruled out.
European Context
Over 6,000 cases of measles were reported across Europe in the last year, with roughly a third in children under five. In the 12-month period between February last year and this January, six people died. The previous year saw 7,655 cases with eight fatalities.
Vaccination Advice
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children under five are particularly vulnerable to measles, which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, blindness, and seizures if it spreads. The best way to protect yourself and your children is to get vaccinated.
