Saint Lucia: Health Ministry urges measles vaccination ahead of ICC World Cup matches

As Saint Lucia prepares for the increased visitor arrivals for the Men’s T20 ICC Cricket World Cup matches, the Ministry of Health remains vigilant of the measles outbreaks in several of the nationals across the world.

According to the data, a case of measles was reported in the Caribbean on May 10 and this was the first case in the region since 2019. The Ministry warned that Measles is considered as one of the most contagious diseases on the globe which means that it can spread very quickly when an infected person coughs, sneezes or even talks.

In light of this, the Health Ministry of Saint Lucia urged the citizens, residents and visitors to be vaccinated as it is the best way to prevent getting infected with this disease or spreading it to other people.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, there were around 2.6 million deaths annually due to this virus. Between 2000 and 2022, around 57 million measles deaths were avoided with the introduction of vaccines.

During COVID-19 pandemic, there was a disruption in immunization program which led to 136000 deaths from this disease and in 2023, the world recorded an increase of 79 percent in new cases of measles as compared to last year.

While asking the general public to be safe, the Ministry said that the signs and symptoms of measles usually occur between 10 to 12 days after the exposure but in some people, it may take as many as 21 days. The symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose as well as pink eye.

The Ministry further added that while Saint Lucia has not recorded a measles case in more than two decades, but it is important to get vaccinated so that people cannot have any fear of being infected with this disease after coming in contact with the huge number of tourists anticipated to arrive in the country during the next month.