Skopje, 4 April 2023 (MIA) – The Infectious Disease Commission adopted certain recommendations related to adapting the system in terms of monitoring cases of measles that could be expected, said the Commission's spokesperson Zlate Mehmedovikj.

“First and foremost, we must increase our epidemiological monitoring of all cases of fever with an accompanying rash because that way we can mitigate the spread of undetected cases. Second, we must raise awareness in healthcare workers and the population for the existence of a case of measles. The third relates to GPs, pediatricians and virologists to follow all symptoms of measles and report them to the Centers for Public Health. All materials should be sent to the lab at the Public Health Institute for a definitive diagnosis. Additionally, the children’s immunization charts should be reviewed and the children should be vaccinated. Educating the people about the importance and efficacy of the vaccine is the most efficient way to control and mitigate consequences from measles,” he said.

The only case of measles infection in the country was discussed during Tuesday’s meeting at the Infectious Diseases Commission.

“The last case was reported in 2019. The current case is a 13-month-old infant infected with measles, registered in Sveti Nikole, who was hospitalized at the Shtip Hospital. The child is now in good condition and is being treated at home. No long-term health consequences are expected,” Mehmedovikj said.

Thirteen days before the symptoms had shown, the child had been taken to the Microbiology Institute and the Clinic for Eye Diseases for an eye infection, and an epidemiological analysis is in the works. No additional suspect cases are present as of yet.

Mehmedovikj pointed out that vaccination against measles is mandatory. Choosing not to vaccinate children can have legal consequences as well, and a child can’t be accepted into a kindergarten without having received the vaccine.

“We appeal to have them vaccinated so that we can protect the children’s health,” Mehmedovikj said. dk/nn/

Photo: MIA archive