Lab tests have confirmed the presence of measles in the 20 children who have returned from camping in Morenii Noi, Ungheni district. Investigations continue in 20 other suspect cases. Initially, the number of children suspected to have contracted the disease was 27, yet it has risen to 40 in the meantime, IPN reports.
The National Agency for Public Health (ANSP) disclosed that the 20 confirmed cases have victims with ages between two and fourteen years. The children come from the settlements of Beșghioz, Copceac, and Cazaclia, in the district of Ceadâr-Lunga, as well as from Cairaclia, Taraclia district, and settlements Șicovăț and Morenii Noi, Ungheni district.
Of the 40 cases (suspected and confirmed), 25 have been identified while active. Only three of the children had been vaccinated with one dose of the anti-virus shot.
ANSP mentions that the main causes of this epicenter’s rapid expansion were admission of children with evident signs of disease into a collective setting, as well as close contact, for three days, between healthy and ill children in the camp. Furthermore, the children showing signs of infection have been isolated tardily, medical assistance was called late, and parents had refused to vaccinate their children for religious reasons.
Previously, the Comrat Center for Public Health concluded that the measles had been contracted by several children in the city of Bolgrad, Ukraine, Odessa region, during a visit to their relatives. Afterwards, these children and their parents, along with other families, traveled to the camp in Morenii Noi.
Measles is an acute viral infection that is extremely contagious, and typically leads to fever, cough, runny nose, rash on the soft tissue of the mouth and lips, which evolves into a general maculopapular rash. The disease is dangerous, due to the complications it may develop, such as respiratory insufficiency, meningitis, or encephalitis. Since autumn 2016, it has caused tens of deaths in Ukraine and Romania.
Measles can be prevented through vaccination. Planned vaccines are administered at the ages of 12 months, 7, and 15 years of age. Those who have missed their planned shots, can request to be vaccinated at any of the institutions for primary medical assistance.
