In the period from 09.02.2019 until 15.02.2019, 71 cases of measles were reported in Macedonia of which 65 are in Skopje and 6 cases from other cities (Strumica-1 Tetovo-5),
As of 15.02.2019, in the epidemic in Skopje, 259 cases are classified as measles after the epidemiological investigations and laboratory results. The epidemic affects all municipalities on the territory of the city of Skopje.
The age of the diseased varies from 1 month to 51 years. From the total number of patients, 148 (57,1%) are aged up to 4 years and 66 persons (25.5%) are over the age of 30 years. According to the vaccine status, 193 or 74.5% of diseased persons are unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated or with unknown vaccine status. From non-vaccinated persons, 50 are under 12 months old and are not subject to vaccination, according to the Immunization Calendar.
From the total number of patients, 164 persons, ie 63.3%, were laboratory confirmed. During the 6th week, 3 deaths associated with measles in children aged 5.5 to 13 months, unvaccinated with MRP vaccine, have been reported.
All three children have died of bronchopneumonia as a complication of measles.
Regarding the implemented vaccination activities with MRI vaccine, since the beginning of the epidemic, the total number of vaccinated people in the Republic of Macedonia is 9779 , out of which 6740 persons are in the territory of the city of Skopje. The previously recommended measures and activities undertaken by the Centers for Public Health, the Public Health Institute, the Ministry of Health, SSHI and vaccine teams at the vaccination stations remain in force.
Skopje, 15.02.2019
