Comprehensive approach to the interruption of the measles outbreak in Venezuela, 2017-2019: lessons learnedAbordagem integral para a interrupção do surto de sarampo na Venezuela, 2017-2019: lições aprendidas

Describe the challenges, strategies and lessons learned in Venezuela during the measles outbreak of 2017-2019, and discuss the mechanisms employed for its containment, which led to the interruption of endemic transmission. Descriptive study of the actions taken by Venezuela to interrupt the outbreak. When the outbreak was confirmed, the Venezuelan government, with technical cooperation from the Pan American Health Organization, activated a plan to interrupt measles transmission. This plan consisted of vaccination activities, epidemiological surveillance, strengthening of laboratory diagnostic capacity, and the formation of rapid response teams. The measles outbreak posed a significant challenge to the country, but a comprehensive approach and prioritized health actions were fundamental in achieving control of the outbreak and interrupting it after 111 weeks, with lessons learned for the containment of future outbreaks.