It’s all over the news channels, and no wonder, as measles in Mexico City is worrying all its inhabitants. We’ll tell you what it is, how it spreads, its symptoms, and how you can avoid it.
The first thing you should know is that measles is a highly contagious viral disease that mainly affects children, although anyone who has not been vaccinated can become ill.
In severe cases, it can cause serious complications and even be fatal, especially in minors. It is very easily transmitted through the respiratory tract: when talking, coughing, or sneezing, droplets are released that can remain in the air for several hours.
To gauge the risk: a single infected person can infect up to 18 unvaccinated people, making each case a public health problem.
Symptoms and stages of measles
Symptoms appear between 10 and 14 days after infection. At first,they usually resemble the common flu: fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, and inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis). A very characteristic sign is Koplik’s spots, small white dots with a red background inside the mouth.
Then comes the most visible phase: a red rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. At this stage, the fever can rise to 104 or 105°F.
The entire illness usually lasts between 2 and 3 weeks. A person with measles can be contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears.
How to prevent it and where to get vaccinated for free in Mexico City
The best way to prevent measles is with the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
It is also recommended to wear a face mask in crowded enclosed spaces and to wash your hands frequently.
In Mexico City, free vaccinations are available at:
- Mexico City Health Centers
- IMSS, ISSSTE, and IMSS Bienestar clinics
- Neighborhood-by-neighborhood campaigns
In response to the increase in cases in different regions of the country, Mexico City has activated free vaccination stations in all 16 boroughs. There are active stations in boroughs such as Álvaro Obregón, Azcapotzalco, Benito Juárez, Coyoacán, Cuauhtémoc, Iztapalapa, GAM, Xochimilco, and more, with specific addresses already set up to serve the population.
Measles vaccination campaigns will also be carried out at various transportation hubs in Mexico City: Metrobús, Tren Ligero, Cablebús, Mexicable, and Mexibús.