Specialists confirm four new cases of measles in northern district of Moldova

Chisinau, 29 December /MOLDPRES/ – During December, specialists from the National Agency for Public Healthcare (ANSP) confirmed four new cases of measles in Soroca district, all registered with employees of a cheese factory.

Interviewed by agency, the head of the ANSP Information and Communication Service, Olesea Croitor, said that since the beginning of 2018, there have been 340 confirmed cases of measles. A significant increase in the number of illnesses was confirmed in August, with 239 confirmed cases reported. Also, during October there were nine cases of this disease.

The territories affected by measles from 01 August to present are: Ceadar – Lunga – 164 cases, Vulcanesti and Soroca – 35, Drochia – 21, Ungheni – 20, Chisinau – 16, Taraclia – 12, Cahul and Cantemir – Ocnita – 7, Nisporeni – 4, Glodeni – 3, Hâncesti, Rascani and Tiraspol – 1.

There is also a Yellow Code on measles spreading risk throughout Moldova.

In recent 10 years, the rate of immunisation in Moldova was 95 per cent, 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 an extremely contagious disease and is spreading rapidly. The first sign of infection is high fever, which lasts for 1 – 7 days. The generalised eruptions occur 3 – 4 days after the fever onset. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in measles.

Measles can only be prevented by vaccination. In Moldova, the vaccination is carried out with a combination vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (ROR) at one year, 6 – 7 years, 14 – 15 years of age. The vaccination is free for all eligible persons.