Background on the Situation
Bolivia’s Ministry of Health reported a surge in measles cases, prompting the government to declare a national health emergency. As of June 24, 2025, there have been 60 confirmed cases of measles in the Latin American country.
Government’s Response
On Tuesday, the Bolivian government, led by Minister of Health and Sports María Renée Castro, announced the declaration of a nationwide health emergency regarding measles. This decision was made following a request from the National Strategic Council for Health Emergencies on June 23, 2025.
Measles Cases and Origin
The Ministry of Health reported that the first case was recorded on April 21 in a person arriving from Russia in the Bolivian town of Santa Cruz. Since then, health authorities have been closely monitoring and vaccinating communities due to the virus’s spread among more than 200 nearby neighborhoods.
Impact and Measures
With 60 positive cases as of June 24, the Bolivian government aims to control the outbreak through enhanced surveillance and vaccination efforts. The health emergency declaration enables quicker allocation of resources and coordinated responses across the country.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a skin rash. It can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis.
- Why is Bolivia declaring a health emergency? The Bolivian government declared a health emergency due to the rising number of measles cases, with 60 confirmed infections as of June 24, 2025. This declaration allows for a more efficient allocation of resources and coordinated response efforts.
- Who is María Renée Castro? María Renée Castro is the Minister of Health and Sports in Bolivia. She announced the national health emergency on June 24, 2025, in response to the measles outbreak.
- What is the origin of the measles cases in Bolivia? The first case was reported on April 21 in a person arriving from Russia in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Since then, the virus has spread to over 200 nearby neighborhoods.
- What measures are being taken to control the outbreak? The Bolivian government is implementing enhanced surveillance and vaccination efforts to control the measles outbreak. The health emergency declaration facilitates quicker resource allocation and coordinated responses.
