Three measles cases confirmed in Lisbon region: Patients include a baby with no vaccination record

Portugal's General Directorate of Health (DGS) announced that three cases of measles have been confirmed in Lisbon and the Tagus Valley region. The patients consist of an adult, a child and an infant. According to the information shared by DGS on October 14, all three people have a recent travel history to a country where measles cases are intense. None of them have any vaccination records. The total number of measles cases confirmed in Portugal since the beginning of the year has reached 13.

What is known about the three cases?

According to the statement sent by DGS to Renascença, the cases were detected in the Lisbon and Tejo Valley health region.

It was announced that the patients were an adult, a child and a baby.

It was reported that all three people had recently returned from a country where measles cases are intense. However, the name of the country in question was not disclosed.

Health officials stated that none of the patients had a record of measles vaccination.

This information does not necessarily indicate that people have never been vaccinated, but rather that there is no vaccination information in the records available to health authorities.

Is there a connection between the cases?

According to DGS, no epidemiological link was detected between the three cases in current investigations.

Therefore, the occurrence of three cases in the same region does not prove that these people transmitted the virus to each other or that a continuous chain of transmission occurred in the region.

Health officials continue to review patients' contact history.

Health status of patients How?

According to the statement of DGS, none of the three patients are currently hospitalized.

People who needed to be hospitalized were discharged after their treatment.

However, measles is an infectious disease that can cause serious complications, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Therefore, the fact that existing patients have been discharged does not mean that the disease is generally risk-free.

How many cases were seen in Portugal in 2026?

According to the data announced by DGS through the SINAVE notification system, a total of 13 measles cases were confirmed in Portugal between 1 January and 14 October 2026.

Three cases in the Lisbon region are included in this total.

Therefore, another three cases should not be added to the 13 cases across the country.

DGS emphasizes that vaccination rates against measles are high in the country and that imported cases alone do not indicate the beginning of sustained transmission.

What precautions are being taken for contact persons?

Health authorities are conducting epidemiological investigation to identify people who may have come into contact with confirmed cases.

During this process, the vaccination status of contact persons is evaluated.

When deemed necessary, protective measures such as vaccination or administration of immunoglobulin after exposure can be considered.

Which method is appropriate depends on the person's age, immune status and the time of possible contact.

What are the symptoms of measles?

Measles, respiratory A viral disease that can be transmitted through infectious particles spread into the air.

High fever, cough, runny nose, redness of the eyes and subsequent skin rash are among the common symptoms.

However, these symptoms can also be seen in other diseases.

For this reason, a definitive diagnosis of measles cannot be made based on symptoms alone.

When is measles vaccination administered in Portugal?

In Portugal's national vaccination program, protection against measles is provided by the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, known as VASPR.

In the routine program, the first dose is usually administered at the age of 12 months and the second dose is administered at the age of five.

However, international travel, exposure or special health conditions may require different applications.

Especially for babies under one year old, the decision to vaccinate outside the standard schedule depends on the evaluation of health officials and the physician.

What should families living in Lisbon do?

It is important for families to check their children's vaccination records and contact the health center for missing doses.

For people suspected of being exposed to measles, receiving guidance by phone in advance rather than going directly to a crowded health facility can reduce the possible exposure of others.

In Portugal, SNS 24 can be reached at 808 24 24 24.

The three confirmed cases do not mean that a general epidemic has been declared in Lisbon. However, contact tracing and vaccine protection are important for public health. remains important.

Resources

- Renascença, Anabela Góis, 14 October 2026, DGS confirma três casos importados de sarampo na região de Lisboa

https://rr.pt/noticia/pais/2026/10/14/dgs-confirma-tres-casos-importados-de-sarampo-na-regiao-de-lisboa/489213/

- Renascença, Vítor Mesquita, Jaime Dantas and Daniela Espírito Santo, October 14, 2026, Hospital de Cascais confirma caso de sarampo. Contact us for a ser notificados

https://rr.pt/noticia/pais/2026/10/14/hospital-de-cascais-confirma-caso-de-sarampo-contactos-estao-a-ser-notificados/489174/