The São Paulo State Health Department confirmed two new measles cases on Friday, bringing the total number of infections recorded in the state this year to 32.
According to the department, both cases were registered in the state capital, São Paulo, and were notified in August. One patient is a six-month-old girl whose vaccination record is incomplete. The other is a 28-year-old man who had already received the measles vaccine. Officials said no information was available on the current health condition of either patient.
Samples collected from both cases were processed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, known as Fiocruz, Brazil's leading public biomedical research institution and a reference laboratory for infectious diseases.
Of the other 30 cases recorded in the state so far this year, 29 occurred in the capital, two in São Bernardo do Campo and one in Guarulhos. Of those, 23 people had either not been vaccinated against measles or had an incomplete vaccination schedule.
Health teams are continuing to investigate and monitor for new infections, the department said.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
Brazil's vaccination schedule calls for two doses for children, the first at 12 months and the second at 15 months. People between 15 months and 29 years old must show proof of two recorded doses in their vaccination card. Those between 30 and 59 years old need at least one recorded dose.
Health care workers are recommended to have two doses regardless of age.
Because of the circulation of the virus, babies between 6 months and 11 months and 29 days old who live in the municipalities of São Paulo, Guarulhos and São Bernardo do Campo should receive what is known as the "Dose Zero." This extra dose does not replace the doses scheduled for 12 and 15 months.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of measles are red spots across the body and a high fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius. Dry cough, eye irritation and intense malaise can also appear.
Symptoms typically emerge three to five days after infection. Brazil's Ministry of Health warns that persistent high fever, particularly in children up to age 5, can indicate a more severe case.
Airborne Transmission
Measles is transmitted from person to person through the air, including through coughing, sneezing, talking or breathing. A single infected person can transmit the virus to 90% of nearby people who lack vaccine coverage.
