The crisis headquarters of the Ministry of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) held a press conference yesterday, where they discussed the current epidemiological situation regarding COVID-19, but also the appearance of the monkeypox virus in the world.
At the beginning of his address to the media, Sanjin Musa, head of the Department of Epidemiology of the FBiH Institute for Public Health, explained that a slight increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 was recorded in BiH.
”A slight increase in cases was registered and it reflects the situation in Europe, where growth has been registered since the sixth month. This was triggered by the appearance of the omicron variant subspecies of COVID-19. The characteristic is that they show an immunological departure from the existing protection or a natural disease that has been overcome. Cases also occur in people who have been infected with the BA1 omicron variant,” Musa stated.
It was also emphasized that the services will continue to monitor the situation on the ground in the coming period.
”We will continue monitoring in the coming period. It is widely deployed in over 18 laboratories that regularly inform us. Vaccination is an important part of the response to the crisis. 30 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated. Seven percent were vaccinated with the third dose, and from May 2022, on the basis of recommendations, revaccination with the fourth dose began and about 50 citizens received it,” Musa emphasized.
After that, Goran Cerkez addressed the public and said that the clinical pictures of citizens with registered COVID-19 are milder.
”The epidemiological situation shows a slight increase. European Union (EU) countries recorded a growth of around 40 percent compared to the previous week. What is evident is the rapid spread, but the clinical pictures are milder and accordingly, we have decided to extend the existing measures for the next 60 days, while we will continue to monitor the situation. These measures are harmonized with the measures within the EU. There is no need to spread panic, we assume that we will not return to the era when the virus began. We know how it spreads, it has a therapeutic effect on it, and the only thing we can recommend is the fourth dose of the vaccine for immunocompromised people,” Cerkez said.
In addition to COVID-19, Cerkez also commented on the appearance of monkeypox in the world.
”We also addressed the issue of monkeypox. I must say that for now, we do not have a single case in BiH. Information about the readiness of the system appears, since the first case in Europe we have started activities to be ready. We immediately detected that we could do diagnostics at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and we also agreed on the procurement of tests with the World Health Organization (WHO). The readiness of the health system to respond to monkeypox has been established,” Cerkez adds.
Finally, he referred to the destruction of expired vaccines and explained that this is a process that awaits all countries.
”Let’s not create affairs and panic where there is none. All of Europe is destroying vaccines. Everyone got them, and some ordered four doses per capita. These countries are trying to negotiate with pharmacists not to supply these vaccines. Our residents have vaccines available. Pfizer has extended the shelf life of the vaccine to 12 months and this gives us additional security,” Goran Cerkez concluded, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
