Measles concerns as Pope Leo XIV draws huge crowds in South America

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 06:08 · Archive

Health authorities are monitoring measles spread as Pope Leo XIV draws millions of Catholics to gatherings across South America during his November visit.

Pope Leo XIV is on a twelve-day apostolic journey to South America from 6 to 17 November, where around 40 per cent of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics live. Millions of Catholics are gathering to attend Masses and prayer vigils, including thousands who attended events in Uruguay.

Measles cases are already surging in the region, and health authorities are concerned that the large crowds provide an opportunity for the virus to spread further. The Pan American Health Organization and officials in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru have been preparing for potential problems for months. Uruguay has implemented a nationwide intensified surveillance monitoring period that will run until 29 November, three weeks after the Pope's departure from the country, according to Nataly Rodriguez, director of epidemiology at Uruguay's health ministry.

Uruguay has taken steps to boost its vaccination rate to among the highest in the region. Rodriguez said the ministry has been emphasising the importance of keeping vaccination schedules up to date as a preventive strategy. The Pope spent two decades ministering in Peru as a missionary priest and then bishop before his election.

Measles concerns as Pope Leo XIV draws huge crowds in South America — Image: Clickorlando

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How it is being reported

Huge crowds and low vaccination rates raise measles alarms as Pope Leo XIV visits South AmericaWhile millions of Catholics gather to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo XIV in South America, health authorities are watching for a different kind of visitor: measles.Clickorlando · 14 Nov, 05:26
Huge crowds and low vaccination rates raise measles alarms as Pope Leo XIV visits South AmericaWhile millions of Catholics gather to catch a glimpse of Pope Leo XIV in South America, health authorities are watching for a different kind of visitor: measles.News4Jax · 14 Nov, 05:26

In this story: Pope Leo XIV · Uruguay · Argentina · Peru · Pan American Health Organization · Nataly Rodriguez

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