Colombia's Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 004 of 2026 to boost vaccination and surveillance amid rising measles cases in the Americas. The action addresses a global and regional uptick in the disease, posing an importation risk to the country. Four suspected cases are under investigation this week.
Colombia's Ministry of Health and Social Protection has addressed the measles uptick in the Americas region through Circular No. 004 of 2026, outlining guidelines to enhance vaccination, epidemiological surveillance, and prevention of imported cases.
The World Health Organization reports 247,623 confirmed cases in 179 countries in 2025, with 14,891 in the Americas—a 32-fold increase from 2024. This international context heightens risks in Colombia due to global mobility, challenging progress toward disease elimination.
This week, four suspected cases involving individuals with international travel histories are under investigation; one was ruled out by lab tests, and the remaining three are ongoing. Authorities are coordinating strict surveillance with territorial entities.
The circular emphasizes vaccination with the triple viral (measles, rubella, and mumps) and bivalent SR vaccines, available free at over 3,000 sites, including airports, ports, and community campaigns. Recommendations include a zero dose for children aged 6 to 11 months in priority areas or for travelers, two doses for children 1 to 10 years old, and additional doses for ages 6 to 16, travelers 11 to 59 without verifiable records, health workers, and case contacts.
Surveillance efforts focus on border checks for symptoms like fever and skin rash. Health facilities activate care pathways in emergencies, prioritizing patients with recent travel within 21 days, and implement protocols to prevent in-hospital transmission.
The Ministry urges parents, travelers, and health personnel to check vaccination status and seek care for compatible symptoms, stressing that high coverage safeguards public health.
