Sixteen children, ages 7 to 15, have contracted measles in the district of Ceadir Lunga, in the Gagauz autonomy, in the last few days. According to the Comrat Public Health Center, only one child had been vaccinated and developed easier symptoms.
Of the 16 children, eight are from the village of Beshgioz, five from Cazaclia and three from Copceac. It is believed the outbreak started after several children traveled to the Ukrainian city of Bolhrad, near the border with Moldova, to visit relatives. The children then went together with their parents to a family-type summer camp in Morenii Noi, Ungheni district, some 230 kilometers north. The camp accommodated 24 adults and 74 children for a week.
On August 7, a public health commission has banned any en masse activities involving children in the villages of Beshgioz, Cazaclia and Copceac. Unvaccinated children have also been banned from attending kindergartens and schools.
The Comrat Public Health Center recalled that the last outbreak of measles before this one was reported in Ceadir Lunga back in 1978.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to serious complications and that can by only prevented through vaccination, which is free and is given to children at 12 months, 7 years and 15 years of age.