A brief overview of the epidemiological situation with measles in Macedonia
This week, a total of 63 cases of measles have been reported(laboratory confirmed or with an epidemiological link,).
29 cases of measles have been reported from Skopje (of which 79.3%, of them are incomplete vaccinated, unvaccinated or with unknown vaccine status.)while the other 34 are from 8 other cities in Macedonia.
- 11 cases were reported from Kumanovo and Tetovo, 72.7% of them were unvaccinated;
- from Veles – 4 reported cases – 2 vaccinated, 2 unvaccinated;
- from Struga – 3 cases, all unvaccinated;
- from Gevgelija 2 cases – one with unknown status and one incomplete vaccinated;
- one new case from Vinica (not vaccinated), Gostivar (unknown vaccine status) and Kratovo (non-vaccinated, not subject to vaccination).
A total of 555 cases of measles have been registered in Macedonia since the beginning of the epidemic in Skopje since December 2018, of which 439 have been linked to the epidemic in Skopje.
According to the place of permanent living, measles cases were registered in 18 towns in Macedonia, of which 394 cases were from Skopje, 50 from Tetovo, 36 from Kumanovo, 18 from Gevgelija, 9 from Debar, 10 from Struga, 7 from Gostivar, 10 from Veles, 5 from Kichevo, 4 from Kocani and the other 8 cities are sporadic cases.
The highest incidence of 100,000 inhabitants is registered in Skopje (63.8 / 100.000) and Gevgelija (52.3 / 100.000).
This week’s epidemic of measles is reported in 4 regions, which is currently active (Skopje, Tetovo, Kumanovo and Gevgelija).
The largest number of cases are from the age group 0-4 years, 236 or 42.5% of the total. High percentage of patients is also registered in elderly groups; persons older than 30 years participate with 37.5% (n = 208) and persons from 20-29 years with 11.9% (n = 66).
Out of a total of 129 cases of children aged 1-4 years, 117 or 90.7% were unvaccinated, and out of 274 cases in people over 20 years of age, 71.9% (n = 197) were unvaccinated, incomplete vaccinated or with unknown vaccine status .
From the total number of registered 555 cases of measles, the highest number and percentage – 303 or 54.6% are laboratory confirmed, 135 or 24.3% are epidemiologically related, while 117 cases (21.1%) are measles .
Since the onset of the epidemic, in Skopje, the total number of vaccinated people under 14 years of age who are subject to vaccination, with a first or second dose, is 10516 children. In the rest of the republic, from the beginning of the epidemic, the total number of vaccinated people up to 14 years with a first or second dose is 5648 children. The total number of immunized persons aged 14 years with MRP vaccine since the start of the epidemic in the Republic of Macedonia is 16164
