Health authorities in Quintana Roo report a sustained increase in chickenpox cases, with 992 accumulated infections up to the first week of November. They issued an urgent call to strengthen vaccination, especially for girls and boys at higher risk. The highly contagious disease causes skin rashes and blisters.
Health authorities in Quintana Roo are observing an increase in chickenpox cases, with 992 accumulated infections up to the first week of November. One week prior, the Secretariat of Health reported 976 cases, representing a rise of 16 infected individuals. Going further back, between October 12 and 18, there were 950 infections, confirming the upward trend.
Chickenpox is a viral infection that causes itchy skin rashes with small fluid-filled blisters, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is highly contagious for those not vaccinated, even if they have had it before. A vaccine is available to protect minors through Quintana Roo's Universal Vaccination Program at public health centers and hospitals.
Symptoms include body-wide blister rashes appearing 10 to 21 days after virus exposure. Other signs are fever, loss of appetite, headache, fatigue, and general malaise. The disease progresses through three phases: raised red or pink bumps, small blisters that burst, and scabs that take days to heal.
For prevention, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state the vaccine provides full protection against the virus in nearly 98 percent of people. Even if not complete, it significantly reduces severity. It is recommended for young children, older unvaccinated individuals, and adults without prior disease or vaccination.
Information from Quadratín.