Almost 140 cases of measles confirmed in August on territory of Moldova
13:44 | 25.08.2018 Category: Social
Chisinau, 25 August /MOLDPRES/ – Almost 140 cases of measles have been confirmed since early August. Also, there are another 65 suspected cases under investigation.
According to the National Agency for Public Healthcare's information and media communication service, there are recorded suspicious and confirmed cases in Ceadar – Lunga, Vulcanesti, Ungheni, Taraclia, Cahul, Hanceşti and Cantemir districts.
At present, the patients are isolated and under supervision of doctors.
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. Likewise, students which are not vaccinated will not be admitted to educational institutions.
Since the beginning of 2018, there have been 171 confirmed cases of measles. In August, the number of cases has increased significantly. Within recent 10 years, the rate of immunisation was 95 per cent in Moldova, and now it is up to 87 per cent. The measles outbreaks also exist in neighbouring Ukraine and Romania.
The epidemiologists remind the population that measles is a highly contagious disease and it is spreading rapidly. In unvaccinated communities, a sick child can infect another 18 children. The disease is transmitted from one person to another throughout air with drops following sneezing, coughing and contact with the infected person. The first sign of infection is high fever, which lasts for 01 – 07 days. The generalised eruptions occur 03 – 04 days after the onset of fever. The pneumonia is the most common cause of death in measles.
The measles can only be prevented by vaccination. In Moldova, the vaccinations are carried out with combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (ROR) at 01 year, 06 – 07 years, 14-15 years of age. The vaccination is free for all eligible persons.
(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)