Red Alert Issued for Bolivia's Measles Outbreak

The Plurinational State of Bolivia recently declared a National Health Emergency in response to a measles outbreak in ten communities.

The government reported on June 25, 2025, that Health Minister Maria Renee Castro highlighted the severity of measles, describing it as a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death, particularly among malnourished or immunocompromised children.

"The most affected group is children under 10 years old; therefore, we declared Red Alert in Santa Cruz and enabled vaccination centers in 24-hour health facilities in all 56 municipalities until weekends,"

She stressed, "It is essential that parents get their children vaccinated. The country has 500,000 doses, specifically for girls and boys."

As of June 26, 2025, the U.S. CDC has included Bolivia in its recent measles and yellow fever Travel Health Advisories, recommending that travelers speak with a travel vaccine expert before visiting Bolivia.

These travel alerts are essential, as about 1 million people visited Bolivia last year.