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Collapse of primary healthcare during humanitarian emergencies can lead to infectious disease outbreaks in neighboring areas

The humanitarian emergency in Venezuela, and resulting collapse of its primary health care infrastructure, has caused measles and diphtheria to reemerge — disproportionately affecting indigenous populations — and spread to neighboring countries. This sets the stage for the potential reemergence of polio. The re-establishment of measles as an endemic disease in Venezuela (with >5,500 confirmed cases) and its spread to neighboring countries threaten the measles-free status.

Full Citation:
Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Tami A, Grillet ME et al.. 2019. Resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Venezuela as a regional public health threat in the Americas. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 25(4).

Title of Article: Resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in Venezuela as a regional public health threat in the Americas

Author(s): Paniz-Mondolfi AE, Tami A, Grillet ME et al.

Publication Year: 2019

Publication Name: Emerging Infectious Diseases

Publication Volume: 25(4)

Publication Source URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30698523/

DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.3201/eid2504.181305

Topics: Conflict & Humanitarian Emergencies | Global Issues

Disease Vaccines: Diphtheria | Measles

Immunization Terms: Outbreaks

Countries: Venezuela

WHO Regions: Americas