India Sends 3 Lakh Measles-Rubella Vaccines to Bolivia Amid Outbreak

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India has sent an aid consignment of 3 lakh doses of Measles and Rubella vaccines, along with medical supplies, to the South American country of Bolivia. This information was provided by MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a social media post on 17 July 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met the Bolivian President  Luis Arce Catacora at the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in July 2025.

Both leaders discussed bilateral relations and agreed to explore a partnership in new areas, especially in the field of critical minerals.

They also agreed to continue collaboration in trade and commerce, health and pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, digital public infrastructure, UPI, small and medium industries, training, and capacity building.

Health Emergency in Bolivia 

The Bolivian President, Luis Arce Catacora, has declared a national health emergency in the country due to the outbreak of measles in various regions. 

The emergency has been declared to stop the mass transmission of the virus through mass vaccination and a coordinated response involving local governments, regional bodies, and international organisations.

According to the experts, the recent outbreak of measles cases in the country has been due to;

• falling vaccination rates,
• disruptions in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
• misinformation,
• and a lack of continuity in prevention programmes.

About Measles and Rubella Disease 

Both Measles and Rubella are airborne viral diseases that mainly affect young children, in some cases, adults as well.

Measles is caused by the measles virus (MV), of the genus Morbillivirus. 

Rubella, also known as German measles, is caused by an RNA virus and belongs to the genus Rubivirus 

Both are vaccine-preventable diseases.

The disease spreads from an infected person when that person breathes, coughs or sneezes. 

For details, see Govt launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination campaign

About Bolivia 

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America.

It shares South America's second-largest lake, Lake Titicaca, with Peru.

 Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is the largest lake in South America.

It was colonised by Spain and gained independence in 1825.

Capital: La Paz

Currency: Boliviano 

President- Luis Arce Catacora