Measles Outbreak in Romania: Four Children Hospitalized with Measles in 2024

■ since the beginning of the year, four children with measles have been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department of the Ministry of Health ■ this is a 14-year-old boy ■

The management of the Romanian Municipal Emergency Hospital announces the fact that there has been the fourth case of measles in a child hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department of the health unit, in total four cases have been registered since the beginning of 2024 until now.

“In 2024, 4 minors diagnosed with measles were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department, presenting medium forms of the disease: 2 cases with non-MMR vaccinated patients; 1 case vaccinated with a single MMR dose; 1 case vaccinated with three doses of ROR. Among them, 3 cases were serologically confirmed, evolving positively, and the patients were discharged.

The fourth case, a 14-year-old boy, admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department, was subjected to the serology test for the measles virus (MMV), and the analysis is ongoing. The general condition of the patient is good”, it is stated in the press release of SMU Roman. Considering the increase in the number of measles cases in Neamț County, doctors recommend intensifying preventive measures.

Among them, the cleanliness and rigorous disinfection of spaces and surfaces; avoiding agglomeration of closed spaces; carrying out epidemiological triage, with investigations regarding the vaccination antecedents of patients; surveillance and isolation of hospitalized patients with specific symptoms or suspicions; MMR vaccination, as it is the safest and most effective preventive measure.

It should also be mentioned that, according to a UNICEF report, the number of measles cases in Europe and Asia increased more than 30 times in 2023, with 30,601 cases being confirmed in these geographical areas. The number of cases in the region is expected to increase further due to the lack of immunity.

“The increase in measles cases is the clearest sign of a break in vaccine coverage. Such a dramatic increase requires urgent attention and public health measures to protect children from this dangerous and deadly disease,” says Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.

Measles has a devastating effect on children’s health, with sometimes fatal consequences. This causes a long-term weakening of children’s immune systems, making them more vulnerable to other infectious diseases, including pneumonia. Romania, which recently declared a national measles epidemic, has a rate of 9.6 reported cases per 100,000 inhabitants, totaling 1,855 cases.

2024-02-09 12:40:46
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