Number of patients sick with measles recorded in Europe up by 400 per cent in last year - World Health Organization data

Chisinau, 20 February /MOLDPRES/ - More than 21,000 persons from European countries fell sick with measles in 2017, with the number of cases increasing by 400 per cent, according to data by the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO).  

WHO data shows that the major measles outbreaks hit each fourth European country. The largest number of people affected was registered in Romania (5,562), Italy (5,006) and Ukraine (4,767). “These states have gone through a string of challenges in the last years, including the decrease of the general coverage with routine vaccines, constantly reduced covering of the vulnerable groups of residents, interruptions in the supply with vaccines or non-performing systems of supervising diseases,” the WHO press release reads.  

In Moldova, laboratory tests have confirmed so far the presence of measles in two minors, of whom one seven-month-old baby.  

Contacted by MOLDPRES, the deputy director of the National Public Health Centre (CNSP) in the prevention and control of transmissible diseases, Nicolae Furtuna, said that epidemiologists were daily monitoring the situation in terms of this infection in Moldova.

Furtuna noted that the only form of protection against measles is vaccination. He appealed to all parents, who declare against vaccination, to change their mind and immunize the babies.   

“These infections can be prevented only through vaccination and Moldova has enough stocks of vaccines, with the immunization rate staying at more than 95 per cent. In case of an eventual epidemic, the children who have not been vaccinated would be worst hit,” the epidemiologist said.   

According to Nicolae Furtuna, to have immunity, children must be vaccinated with three doses of vaccine; the first time, at the age of 12 months, afterwards at the age of six years and 15.

Measles is severe because of the complications it can develop: the virus of measles can cause such complications as bronchitis, pneumonia, encephalitis. The maximum incidence of the disease is recorded during the winter months.  

(Reporter A. Zara, editor A. Raileanu)