Number of people sick with measles increases in Moldova in last week

Chisinau, 4 September /MOLDPRES/ - The number of persons sick with measles has increased in the last week, reaching 198 cases. Four of them were confirmed in September; thus, an orange code of measles is maintained in Moldova.  

According to the National Agency for Public Health, in the first four days of September, four new cases of measles were confirmed in Moldova; another 68 cases are investigated. The areas hit by measles in the last week are: Ceadar-Lunga, Vulcanesti, Ungheni, Taraclia, Cahul, Hancesti, Cantemir, Ocnita and Chisinau.    

The authorities in late last August announced orange code of measles all over Moldova and warned that the non-vaccinated minors would not be allowed to kindergartens and schools.   

Physicians epidemiologists remind residents that measles is an extremely contagious disease, which is spread quickly. One child can infect another 18 ones in unvaccinated communities. The disease is transmitted from one person to another by air with drops following sneezing, cough and contact with the infected person. The first sign of the infection is the high fever, which is maintained 1-7 days. The eruptions appear 3-4 days after the beginning of the fever. Pneumonia is the most often cause of death in measles.      

Measles can be prevented only by vaccination. In Moldova, the vaccination is made with combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (ROR), at the ages of one year, 6-7 years, 14-15 years. The vaccination is free of charge for all persons eligible. In the last ten years, the immunization rate was 95 per cent in Moldova and now is up to 87 per cent. There are hotbeds of measles also in the neighour countries, Ukraine and Romania.  

(Reporter A. Zara, editor M. Jantovan)