The Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan announced worsening of epidemiological situation due to an increase in measles cases.
According to the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, since the beginning of the year, 3,289 people have fallen ill with measles, most of them are children under four.
The most cases were registered in Bishkek — 989 people, Osh city — 321, Osh region — 683, Chui region — 515, Jalal-Abad region — 501, Issyk-Kul region — 68, Batken region — 94, Talas region — 92 and Naryn region — 26.
«In general, the measles situation remains tense. With the beginning of the school year, measles cases have become more frequent among students in secondary schools and preschool institutions, and among children who have not been vaccinated.
To localize the measles outbreak, quarantine is introduced in organized groups, when educational institutions are temporarily transferred to distance learning until the end of the incubation period. In the capital, cases of measles were registered in two private kindergartens, one private school; one case of measles was registered in a state kindergarten in Karakol.
Two secondary schools in Jalal-Abad were closed due to reported cases of the disease on October 30. By decision of the anti-epidemic and anti-epizootic special commission, the educational process will temporarily be conducted in an online format. Sanitary regulations have been prepared for all organizations and protocols have been drawn up with decisions issued to managers,» the press center of the Ministry of Health reported.
Additional immunization against measles and rubella continues. It began on September 18 in areas where the most active circulation of the virus is registered — in Bishkek and Osh cities, Osh and Chui regions. In connection with the increase in measles cases in Jalal-Abad region, additional immunization has begun in response to an outbreak of measles among children in organized groups with rubella-measles vaccine. In addition, contact persons of all ages are urgently vaccinated within 72 hours.
Vaccination coverage must reach more than 95 percent to stop transmission. As part of the additional immunization campaign against measles and rubella, more than 450,000 children have been vaccinated to date, which is 76 percent.
Officials urge parents to promptly vaccinate their children, which can prevent outbreaks in children’s groups and reduce the risk of infection in adults, for whom the likelihood of developing complications is much higher.
