Doctors to check persons with measles symptoms at border of Moldova

Chisinau, 23 August /MOLDPRES/ – There will be set up a medical worker at the most requested border crossing points, by the end of August, as to identify people with measles symptoms. The measure aims to prevent the trans – boundary transmission of measles viruses.

According to the Border Police's information and media communication service, the head of the institution asked border guards to monitor the flow of passengers. It will be paid an increased attention to people coming from Ukraine and Romania, mostly children.

At the same time, the Border Police medical specialists came up with a set of recommendations regarding the individual protection of the staff involved in the control of state border crossing. Thus, the border staff must respect the distance to travellers, keep the premises clean and use masks in case of the risk of contact with suspected persons of illness.

If there are identified passengers with a symptomatic measles characteristic, it is ordered to set an appropriate separate (isolation) room in any border subdivision to interview the suspect or affected person, including undertaking medical consultation measures. Similarly, it was ordered to provide access to the appropriate medical service, car and means for conducting diagnosis, sampling of biological samples, which would enable the sick person to be examined and quickly taken over.

Also, the press reported today that two adults from Vulcanesti were infected with measles. Interviewed by agency, head of the Ministry of Healthcare, Labour and Social Protection Ministry's press service, Cristina Stratulat, stated that "first case has not been confirmed by lab, and in the second case of medical investigations, the lab results being ready in a week".

Totally, there have been confirmed over 100 cases of measles since early August. Similarly, there are 68 other suspicious cases under investigation. The virus was recorded in Ceadar – Lunga, Vulcanesti, Taraclia, Cahul, Ungheni, Hancesti and Cantemir districts.

The authorities announced earlier this week the Orange Code of measles throughout Moldova, and by the start of the new school year all children are to be vaccinated. Students who are not vaccinated will not be admitted to educational institutions.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)