Epidemic small pox flares up in the region. The most difficult situation is in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it has been since the beginning epidemics 7000 infected patients were registered, while two teenagers aged 17 and 18 from Sarajevo and Zenica died. Since the beginning of the year, 181 cases of measles have been registered in Serbia. Doctors fear that the epidemic could flare up further when children return to the collective - kindergartens and schools, reports "Euronews".
The number of infected people in Serbia is certainly higher now, because the last cross-section by the Institute for Public Health "Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut" was conducted on July 7, 2024. Until then, the most cases were registered in Belgrade - 94, followed by Novi Pazar with 46 infected. Measles has also been confirmed in Novi Sad, Bor, Valjevo, Vranje, Niš, Loznica, Krupanj.
Worryingly low vaccination
Doctors are particularly concerned about the occurrence of smallpox in Novi Pazar, where the coverage of vaccinated children is low. In 2022, only 29,7 percent of children in that city received the MMR vaccine (which protects against three infectious diseases – measles, mumps, rubella). For good collective immunity, it is necessary to vaccinate 95 percent of children.
The MMV vaccine is given in the second year of life (from the age of 12 months) and before starting school. According to the data of the Institute for Public Health of Serbia "Dr. Milan Jovanović Batut", during 2020 and 2021, the lowest MMR vaccine coverage in the last 20 years was registered in Serbia.
Coverage with this vaccine in the second year of life in 2020 was 78,1 percent, and in 2021 it was only 74,8 percent. Coverage with the second dose, before enrollment in the first grade of primary school, in 2021 was 85,8 percent, while in 2022 it was 81,3 percent.
Somewhat better figures were in 2023, but even that is far from the desired values. In the second year of life, 84,5 percent of children received the first dose of the vaccine, and before entering the first grade of elementary school, 91 percent of children received the second dose.
Tightened measures
Since February 7, 2024, when the first case of smallpox appeared in Serbia, the epidemiological surveillance measures have been tightened. This means that any suspicion of measles is reported and laboratory checked, that the infected are isolated and treated, epidemiological surveillance is carried out and contacts are sought.
An urgent and extraordinary audit of vaccination records was carried out in all health centers. Parents of unvaccinated children were invited to bring their children for immunization.
Immunization advisor Dr. Dragoslav Popović fears that the smallpox epidemic in Serbia could flare up further in September, when children start school and kindergarten.
"Parents are obliged to bring a certificate that they have been vaccinated for every child who enrolls in kindergarten and school. However, it is manipulated, parents are 'looked through'. This must be stopped because this is a 'disservice' not only to that child, but also to all other children," he said.
Insufficiently vaccinated children
The Institute previously warned that not enough children were vaccinated against smallpox in Serbia to create collective immunity.
For that, it is necessary that vaccination coverage is at least 95 percent. In Serbia, the measles vaccine is given in two doses - in the second and seventh years of life, before starting school.
Measles is one of the most contagious viral infections. They are transmitted mainly by direct contact and through the air by droplets - coughing and sneezing. Symptoms are fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose and rash on the body.
Source: Euronews
