Por Redaccion 
The General Directorate of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation of the Ministry of Health and Consumption of the Andalusian Government has declared the closure of the last measles outbreak that was active in the community, specifically in the municipality of Torrox in Malaga, consisting of six cases (two within the family and four secondary cases). Since January 1st of this year, 12 outbreaks have been declared and a total of 89 measles cases have been recorded, with the last one on June 5th.
This figure represents 29% of the cases reported in Spain. Across the country, as of last Sunday, 309 confirmed cases of measles have been reported, of which 94 are imported, 87 are related to imported cases, and 128 have an unknown source. The autonomous communities with the highest number of confirmed cases have been Andalusia, Basque Country with 49 cases (16%); Catalonia with 48 cases (16%); the Balearic Islands with 35 cases (11%); and Melilla with 30 cases (10%).
In Andalusia, 22% of the cases have been imported cases, originating from Morocco (17), Belgium (one), Denmark (one), and the United Kingdom (one). Of the non-imported cases, 24 cases are isolated cases where the source of infection is unknown (six cases in the municipality of Malaga, six in Vera, two in Marbella, one in Cuevas de Almanzora, one in Chirivel, one in Velez-Malaga, one in Torremolinos, one in Alora, one in Casabermeja, one in Calanas, one in Huelva, one in Palos de la Frontera, and one in Granada).
Ten cases have been diagnosed with measles in children under one year old. 34% have been under 15 years old and 66% adults (ranging from 15 to 70 years). Only two cases (2%) had a documented history of vaccination with one dose, the rest of the cases were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status could not be determined (including cases from Morocco). 28% of the cases required hospitalization.
By provinces, Almeria has recorded 17 cases since the beginning of the year (one in Adra, three in El Ejido, one in Nijar, one in Roquetas de Mar, one in Cuevas del Almanzora, one in Chirivel, and nine in Vera); Granada, a total of four cases in the capital; Huelva, 16 cases (one in Calanas, two in Gibraleon, one in Huelva, four in Lucena del Puerto, two in Moguer, three in Palos de la Frontera, one in San Bartolome de la Torre, and two in San Juan del Puerto); Malaga is the province with the highest number of confirmed cases: 51 in total (one in Alora, one in Casabermeja, ten in Fuengirola, 18 in Malaga capital, two in Marbella, seven in Mijas, one in Nerja, one in Ojen, one in Rincon de la Victoria, one in Torremolinos, two in Velez-Malaga, and six in Torrox) and finally, one case in Seville capital.
Situation Analysis
Since the last weeks of May, the incidence of confirmed cases has shown a decreasing trend. In fact, the last confirmed case based on the date of rash corresponds to the first week of June. From week 10 (March 3-9), cases have mainly occurred in adults (primarily between 26 and 47 years old). Most cases have been imported from Morocco, are related to imported cases, or are associated with outbreaks.
Only 28% of cases required hospitalization and no deaths have occurred. The confirmed active outbreaks have mainly been family outbreaks in adults with a small number of cases, few generations of cases, and low transmission in the healthcare setting. Since mid-May, no new outbreaks have been reported and there are currently no active outbreaks.
Health and Consumption reminds, as confirmed by the data recorded this year, that measles is an infection that is easily transmitted, can be severe, and can affect both unvaccinated children and adults. For this reason, it emphasizes vaccination of children according to established guidelines and for adults who are not sure if they are vaccinated to protect those who cannot be vaccinated. Furthermore, it recommends vaccination with the MMR vaccine for those traveling to countries with measles outbreaks, in order to prevent contracting the disease and spreading it upon return home, as it is the best way to prevent the disease.
Although the current trend is very positive, Public Health recommends remaining vigilant and maintaining all measures outlined in the Protocol for monitoring and alerting measles updated this year, in anticipation of a possible resurgence of the disease, especially after the summer.