Zacatecas has confirmed three imported cases of measles linked to farmworkers from Nayarit and Durango who are currently working in Villa de Cos, the state Health Secretariat reported after reinforcing vaccination and epidemiological surveillance measures in the region.
Joel Ríos Gómez, head of the Department of Epidemiology at the Zacatecas Health Secretariat, explained that the infections are linked to a single group of agricultural workers based in the municipality of Villa de Cos.
According to the official, the first case involved a female worker from Nayarit; subsequently, two additional infections were confirmed: a 26-year-old man originally from Mezquital and a one-year-and-six-month-old child from the same locality.
Ríos Gómez explained that the patients were classified as imported cases because their areas of origin are currently experiencing active measles transmission.
“For the state, these are imported cases, but that does not mean we cease taking action; on the contrary, all necessary measures are being implemented to prevent the occurrence of local infections,” the official stated.
Vaccination Efforts Reinforced in Agricultural Fields
Following the detection of the cases, state authorities implemented epidemiological containment measures and intensive vaccination drives in the agricultural fields of Villa de Cos, where more than 367 farmworkers who lacked a complete vaccination schedule were immunized.
Health brigades will also expand their outreach to areas bordering the municipality of Guadalupe—in coordination with municipal authorities—to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading.
The epidemiologist further reported that an additional suspected case involving a child from the community of Bañón—part of the same group of agricultural workers—remains under analysis; laboratory results are expected within the coming days.
Regarding the patients’ health status, the Health Secretariat reported that the two adults remain stable. Meanwhile, the child remains hospitalized in Fresnillo due to complications from pneumonia resulting from the measles infection, although her condition is reported as stable. Health authorities reiterated their appeal to the public to review their National Health Cards and complete their vaccination schedules at medical centers, particularly among minors and individuals with outstanding doses.
“Rather than raising alarm bells, the aim is to strengthen the work we are already doing: preventing disease and breaking chains of transmission,” noted Ríos Gómez.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly in communities with low vaccination coverage; consequently, authorities are maintaining epidemiological surveillance in municipalities with a presence of migrant agricultural workers.
Source: meganoticias
