Since the beginning of 2023, at least 2,842 people have contracted measles, most of them children under the age of four. The Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan reported, citing the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis.
According to it, due to the increase in incidence in Kyrgyzstan, additional immunization against measles and rubella continues. It began on September 18 in areas where the virus circulation is most active — in Bishkek and Osh cities, Osh and Chui regions. In four weeks, more than 450,000 children were vaccinated.
Vaccination is carried out regardless of vaccination status or previous illness of measles and rubella among children aged from nine months to seven years inclusive.
The highest number of cases is in Bishkek (757 people), Osh city (321), Osh (670), Chui (389) and Jalal-Abad (440) regions.
«Upon achieving higher vaccination coverage in Osh city and Osh region, infection transmission has noticeably decreased. A maximum of five cases are reported per week. The situation remains tense in Bishkek and Chui region due to the low level of coverage with additional immunization against measles; from 20 to 50 cases are registered per week,» the ministry noted.
In general, the measles situation remains tense. With the start of the school year, cases registered in schools and kindergartens have become more frequent.
«To prevent the spread of infection, sanitary instructions have been sent to prevent unvaccinated children from joining organized groups,» the Ministry of Health reported.
Vaccination coverage must reach more than 95 percent to stop transmission.
The ministry reminds that measles is a dangerous and highly contagious viral disease for which there is no cure, and complications of this disease can be fatal.
«Children and adults who have not received preventive vaccinations are at risk. Only vaccination can protect against the disease,» the Ministry of Health added.
