Mexico records 17 deaths from measles

Health Secretary David Kershenobich reported that 17 measles deaths and 4,353 new infections have been recorded in the country; more than 95% of the cases are located in Chihuahua .

The official explained that from January 1 to August 29, 5.9 million vaccine doses have been administered; thus, vaccination coverage with a complete schedule is at 81.1%, and up to 92% of incomplete schedules have been recovered .

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He noted that six million vaccines have been administered from January 1 to August 6 , and the vaccination schedule consists of two doses: one at 12 months and another at 18 months, but children from 6 to 11 months are currently being vaccinated to prevent infection.

The health minister explained that when a measles case is detected, active surveillance is carried out in a surrounding 25 blocks, which has helped contain the spread of measles cases.

In addition, Secretary Kershenobich noted that vaccination during the outbreak is being administered to children between 6 and 11 months of age ; adolescents and adults between 10 and 49 years of age; healthcare workers up to 49 years of age; people in contact with positive cases; educational personnel; and agricultural workers.

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On the other hand, Kershenobich reported that in 2021, 118,000 deaths were recorded attributable to a high body mass index, which represented 10.6 of the total deaths in Mexico. He revealed that children under 2 years of age are almost twice as likely to consume sugary drinks as adults do regularly, and adolescents are nine times as likely: "Contagion is social; a bad habit is reproduced," he warned.