The Ministry of Health of Peru announced on Apr. 8 the issuance of an epidemiological alert aimed at reinforcing prevention and surveillance measures against measles in all health facilities across the country. The move comes after cases were detected in the Puno region.
The alert, issued through the National Center for Epidemiology, Prevention and Disease Control (CDC), seeks to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, vaccination campaigns, timely patient care, infection control, and health promotion with an intercultural approach.
Key measures include ensuring a supply of vaccines and syringes to intensify vaccination efforts against measles. Continuous monitoring of health interventions will be carried out. Immediate notification and investigation of cases are required within no more than 24 hours using the SiEpibrotes application.
Health personnel capacities will be enhanced, Rapid Response Teams for outbreaks will be activated, and sample processing—including genomic sequencing—will be optimized in reference laboratories. Educational strategies with an intercultural focus will also be promoted to increase risk perception and encourage vaccination through social media, mass media outlets, and alternative channels.
The Ministry stated that it is working together with the National Institute of Health for ongoing monitoring. The alert is directed at all public and private healthcare establishments under regional health directorates as well as EsSalud, military and police health services, Lima’s four regional directorates (North, Center, South, East), and private sector providers.
According to data from early 2026 cited by authorities in the release text itself (weeks 1–3), there have been a total of 1,031 reported measles cases across the Americas region without any deaths. Cases have been identified in Bolivia (10), Canada (67), Chile (1), United States (171), Guatemala (41), Mexico (740) and Uruguay (1).
Officials say these strengthened measures are intended to prevent further spread following recent detections.
