In recent weeks, cases of various diseases have been reported in the country, triggering health alerts from authorities such as the Ministry of Health (SSa).
An example of this is the first case of screwworm myiasis in Mexico, detected on April 18.
In addition to this case, the country has also reported infections of whooping cough, measles, and avian flu, among others. Even cases of HIV have garnered attention.
Avoid getting infected! Here are the Ministry of Health’s recommendations against avian influenza type A (H5N1).
Avian flu in early April
On April 4, the Ssa reported the detection of the first human case of avian influenza (H5N1) in Mexico, in a three-year-old girl living in the state of Durango.
Based on information from the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference (InDRE), the patient initially received treatment with oseltamivir.
According to the agency headed by David Kershenobich, the patient died as a result of the infection days after the infection was reported.
The avian flu alert prompted poultry farms in Mexico to take samples from birds, as consuming meat or eggs from these animals can be a springboard for infection in the human body.
In addition, the public was urged to be careful with their eating habits, as not boiling food is considered a gateway to infection.
Other points emphasized by the Ministry of Health were the use of face masks, hand washing, avoiding contact with dead animals, and seeking medical attention when necessary.
WHAT IS BIRD FLU?
According to the Mayo Clinic website and the World Health Organization (WHO), it is an infectious disease caused by various influenza A viruses that primarily affect chickens, turkeys, and other poultry.
In nature, most viruses responsible for avian influenza are found in aquatic birds. However, the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype has proven relentless when it reaches poultry, with a fatality rate of between 90% and 100% of infected birds.
Whooping cough is on the rise
Whooping cough, however, has seen an increase in cases nationwide, with Mexico City being one of the states with the most cases nationwide, with 244 possible cases. The states of Chihuahua (Chihuahua) follow with 218 possible cases; Nuevo León (Nuevo León) with 197 possible cases; Coahuila (Coahuila) with 196 possible cases; Guanajuato (Guanajuato) with 194 possible cases.
The cases are occurring in cities where pollution, lifestyle, and even the climate have affected the lives of their residents, resulting in a lack of recovery in the health of those affected.
As if that weren’t enough, Mexico City tops the national list of states where whooping cough is a deadly disease, followed by states such as Jalisco, Puebla, and Tamaulipas; states known for their industrialized centers and dedication to certain types of industries.
The SSA recommends that people get vaccinated against whooping cough, wash their hands frequently, eat a diet rich in fluids, and properly dispose of tissues with mucus residue.
It also urges people to see a doctor if they experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, mild fever, and a mild cough.
WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH?
The SSA information bulletin states that whooping cough is a highly contagious acute respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Transmission is through direct contact with droplets from infected people when they cough or sneeze. It is characterized by violent, severe coughing attacks that can last for weeks or months.
Measles with Notable Cases
Measles has also been a headache for society, although it is a disease that has been almost eradicated in the country. However, there are 362 cases detected by the Ssa.
During the “Mañanera del Pueblo” (People’s Morning Press Conference) on April 15, David Kershenobich announced that the agency recognizes this number and stressed the importance of the population getting vaccinated against this disease, especially during the upcoming national vaccination campaign.
“Primarily, we will administer the measles and rubella vaccine to children between one and nine years of age; adolescents and adults between 10 and 39 years of age; healthcare workers between two and 38 years of age; and those in contact with positive individuals,” he emphasized during the morning press conference.
More than 300 cases of measles reported in Chihuahua
During that morning press conference, Kershenobich announced that Chihuahua is the state most affected by measles, but they have not ruled out epidemiological surveillance in states such as Campeche, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Sonora, Querétaro, and Zacatecas, which are hotspots of infection and have been among the top cases in previous years.
Vaccination and surveillance are the main actions to be implemented to prevent the spread of measles in Mexico.
The MMR vaccine schedule protects against measles, but also against rubella and mumps. It is part of the national vaccination schedule: the first dose is administered at 12 months of age, and a booster is given at 6 years of age.
WHAT IS MEASLES?
The WHO website indicates that it is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children and is transmitted by droplets from the nose, mouth, and pharynx of infected people. The initial symptoms, which usually appear between 8 and 12 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, conjunctival injections, and small white spots on the inside of the cheek.
HIV, the “pandemic” that truly scared Mexico
In recent weeks, misinformation on social media has raised concerns about HIV infections, fostering stigma among the population.
It is important to remember that HIV is not simply a sexually transmitted disease. This disease, for which there is treatment, can be transmitted through injections with used needles and even through breastfeeding.
It is never transmitted through a handshake, a hug, or even through contact with objects—such as plates, toilet seats, or doorknobs—used by a person with this condition.
Through its official website, the Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance of Communicable Diseases released the most recent data on the number of HIV cases in Mexico and their distribution by state.
Official figures indicate that between 2014 and September 2024, a total of 166,180 cases of people living with HIV were reported in Mexico. The states with the highest number of cases during this period were:
State of Mexico: 18,388 cases (11.1% of the total)
Mexico City: 14,404 cases (8.7% of the total)
Veracruz: 13,655 cases (8.2% of the total)
Chiapas: 8,966 cases (5.4% of the total)
Jalisco: 7,922 cases (4.8% of the total)
The Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance of Communicable Diseases indicated that young people are the most at risk, as the peak of infections occurs between the ages of 20 and 34.
The only way to know if you have HIV is through a laboratory test that detects antibodies against the virus in blood or saliva, which is 100% safe and discreet.
Remember that it’s not reactive, but rather a test that will determine whether you have this disease or not. If you still have doubts, you’ll need to wait a window period to get a more accurate diagnosis that will clear up any doubts.
Source: milenio
