The number of people infected with measles in the Republika Srpska is increasing. According to the latest data from the Institute of Public Health, 296 patients were officially registered. The largest number is in Bijeljina, 222.
The data refer to August 2nd, and the head of the Consultative Specialist Service of the Bijeljina Health Center, a pediatric specialist and dietitian, Dr. Stojanka Škorić, tells Fena news agency that about 300 measles cases are currently reported in Bijeljina.
The largest number of infected are younger children, ages one to four.
“The number of infected people is certainly even higher because there are unreported cases. There are more sick people than officially reported ones in the entire Republika Srpska, except that in Bijeljina health surveillance works best,” said Škorić.
According to her, all infected children were unvaccinated, and there were also several mothers who did not receive a second dose during the war period.
“Unlike the measles epidemic in Bijeljina in 2014 when there were about 1,000 infected children, in the current one we have many more children who end up with pneumonia, which surprised us. Several children were hospitalized due to complications, but we had no deaths. Everything is under strict supervision,” points out Škorić.
She says that there is currently one kindergarten in Bijeljina that is nearing the end of surveillance measures, but in the meantime, two or three other kindergartens with several infected children have appeared.
According to her, infected and unvaccinated children must be isolated until the symptoms pass, that is, until the competent pediatrician gives confirmation that the child can return to collective housing. After contracting the disease, at least three months must pass before vaccination.
Škorić points out that there is currently a greater response from parents who bring their children for the MRP vaccine, that is, the vaccine against measles, rubella and mumps.
The World Health Organization warned in February that more than half of the countries will be exposed to a high risk of measles by the end of the year if urgent preventive measures are not taken.
Measles is a highly contagious disease, and in case of exposure to this virus, at least 95 percent of unvaccinated persons become ill. The virus is active in the air or on an infected surface for up to two hours after exposure to an unvaccinated person.
The Institute for Public Health of the Republika Srpska reminds that vaccination against measles, rubella and patotitis is mandatory and that a high level of protection is achieved through immunization. It is necessary that vaccination coverage be at least 95 percent, but for the past few years everything has been decreasing.
The previous year, it was only 62.7 percent, or 76.03 percent with the second dose. The first dose is mandatory after one year of age, and the second before entering the first grade of elementary school.
A person infected with measles will be able to infect up to 18 people, especially if he stays in a group, such as a kindergarten or school, Fena writes.
