Romania declares measles epidemic

The Romanian Ministry of Health has declared a measles epidemic, Report informs.

“Given the alarming increase in the incidence of measles cases, as well as the large number of infected children in pediatric and infectious diseases departments of hospitals, the Romanian Ministry of Health declared a national measles epidemic to ensure the possibility of vaccination of children aged 9-11 months, as well as treatment of unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated children,” reads the message.

More than 2,000 cases of measles have been registered in Romania - the disease has been detected in 29 of the 41 counties (regions) of the country. According to the Romanian Ministry of Health, 78% of the country's residents received the first component of the vaccine, and 62% of children received both components.

The Romanian Ministry of Health clarified that 78% of children in the country received the first dose of the vaccine, and 62% of children eligible for vaccination received two doses. At the same time, over the past 10 years, the number of vaccinated children in the country has been declining.