Measles, appeal for vaccination, 12 children affected in 3 months

In many European countries, measles outbreaks have become a concern for health authorities.

There is no shortage of cases in Albania either, although not in the same numbers as in the region. The Institute of Public Health confirms 12 children aged 0 to 14 affected by it from January to March.

 The majority of the cases are children under the age of four, and most of them were discovered in Fier. They have been treated in hospital and doctors currently say they are in good health.

 "So 10 of the cases are under 4 years old, 1 case is 9 years old and 1 case is 14 years old. Of these cases, 9 are unvaccinated, 75% are unvaccinated, 3 only with one dose, so the full vaccination scheme has not been completed. It predominates in Fier with eight cases, 1 Vau I Dejës, 1 Lezha, 2 Tirana.

"Most of the cases are without epidemiological connection, but in the Fier district an outbreak has been observed in a kindergarten."

In order to curb the spread of the infection, health authorities are calling on nurseries, kindergartens and schools not to accept children without a vaccination card. 

Parents should be careful, as in the first few days, measles resembles respiratory infections and is highly transmissible.

"What is important for preschool and school institutions is not to accept children who are not vaccinated according to the national calendar because they become a source for the spread of measles to other children."

Measles is a disease that spreads from close contact of children with another through airborne droplets. The infection-disease ratio is 1 to 1, if you have contact the probability is 100% to be affected. It starts with a high temperature of 38 degrees or higher, characteristic at the beginning, there are also signs such as redness of the eyes, runny nose and can be confused with respiratory viruses. After this period of 2-3 days of fever, a rash or these red spots begin to appear.

Measles can cause serious health complications and can lead to loss of life. Vaccination against it is carried out in two doses, administered at the age of one and five years.

"Based on the epidemiological situation in the countries of the region, there are thousands of cases on the European continent, with the increase in the movement of the population and families, the possibility of infection increases."

Currently, in our country, according to the Institute of Public Health, about 92% of children have received the two doses of measles vaccine, but according to the World Health Organization, the vaccination coverage necessary to prevent outbreaks of the contagious disease should be 95%./abcnews