As the summer gets underway, several popular tourist hotspots in southern Spain have been hit with active measles outbreaks, with the iconic Costa del Sol among the affected regions. As of late May, the total number of confirmed cases in the Andalusia region has reached 83, with five new cases reported in the last week alone.
In the Malaga province, several tourist hotspots have been impacted. An outbreak involving five cases within the same family has been identified, with one hospital-acquired infection. An outbreak in Velez-Malaga, imported from Morocco, has resulted in two confirmed cases and two probable cases among healthcare workers at La Axarquia Hospital. Mijas has also experienced outbreaks, with cases reported in both a nursery and a secondary school, according to The Olive Press.
The initial outbreak at the nursery involved nine unvaccinated children, all of foreign origin. Subsequently, two unvaccinated students under the age of 13 were confirmed to have measles at a local secondary school.
Despite the fact that 97% of children in the Malaga province have received the MMR vaccine, the disease has rooted itself among unvaccinated individuals and those with unknown vaccination status. Only 2% of the confirmed cases had documented vaccination histories.
The regional health ministry has activated surveillance and alert protocols, including contact tracing and offering vaccinations to susceptible individuals.
Authorities have emphasised the importance of vaccination, especially for travellers and residents in affected areas, to prevent further spread of this highly contagious disease.
Visitors heading to the Costa del Sol in the near future are advised to ensure their vaccinations are up to date and to be vigilant for symptoms because early detection and isolation are key to controlling outbreaks and safeguarding public health in these busy regions.
According to the NHS website, the first symptoms of measles include cold-like symptoms like a high temperature, a runny or blocked nose, a cough, and red, sore, watery eyes. A few days later, small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips. These spots usually last a few days. A rash, which starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body, usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms.
You’re infectious from when you first have symptoms (around four days before the rash appears) until four days after you get the rash. Measles usually starts to get better in about a week.