Local authorities in Andalucia have warned people in the region to remain vigilant after a measles outbreak they believe has been imported from Morocco. The number of cases reported so far this year is 70 per cent higher than for all of 2024.
The Public Health Department released a statement saying three new cases had been detected in Andalucia, raising the total number of infected patients this year to 56. In the Mijas municipality of Malaga, the outbreak is now inactive, the statement added.
“Two new cases in Huelva and Almeria have raised the number of reported outbreaks to nine since the start of this year in Andalucia. Seven of them are still active, but two have been declared inactive,” the statement said. Because Spain has complied and exceeded the World Health Organisation’s recommendation that over 95 per cent of the population be vaccinated against measles, “we can deduce that new cases come from abroad,” the health authorities said.
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Most cases (13) have come from Morocco. One is from Belgium and the other from Denmark, health officials said.
By Andulucian province
- Almeria 6
- Granada 3
- Huelva 14
- Malaga 32
- Sevilla 1
The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs confirmed the number of measles cases and stated it was alarming that 41 per cent of the cases required hospitalisation, including four patients affected by pneumonia as well.
Watch out for these cold-like symptoms
- High fever
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Red, sore, watery eyes
Other, more serious symptoms
- Spots in the mouth. Small white spots could appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips a few days later, after being infected. These spots last a few days.
- The measles rash. This typically appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms. The rash begins on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.
The situation in Andalucia appears to be under control. However, authorities still recommend remaining highly alert for anyone with symptoms and to stay clear away from them because it is one of the most highly infectious diseases.
On a national level, 110 cases have been reported this year. That is 70 per cent of all cases reported all of last year, which is why national health officials are closely supervising all outbreaks. Spain has one of the highest measles vaccination rates in the world—over 97.8 per cent for the first dose and 94.4 per cent for the second.