Eight confirmed cases of measles have been recorded until today, Tuesday, February 27, 2024, states in his report o EODY. The number of measles cases is small, but the probability of the occurrence of other cases is considered high, EODY points out.
In December 2023, the European division of the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement regarding the alarming increase in measles cases in countries in the WHO European Region, even in those that had declared the elimination of measles as an endemic disease. Specifically, more than 30,000 cases of measles were reported in 40 of the 53 member states, during the period January-October 2023, of which 2 in 5 were children aged 1-4 years and 1 in 5 adults 20 years and older. During the same time period, approximately 21,000 hospitalizations and 5 deaths were recorded.
This resurgence of measles is largely attributed to declining vaccination coverage in the countries of the European Region during the period 2020 – 2022, where more than 1.8 million children missed the opportunity to be vaccinated. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected immunization resulting in an accumulation of under-vaccinated children. In addition, international travel and the lifting of social distancing measures have increased the risk of cross-border transmission and spread of measles particularly in communities that have low vaccination coverage.
In our country, based on data from surveillance systems, have been reported to date 8 confirmed cases of measles. The number of measles cases is small, but the possibility of other cases is considered high. According to the results of the 2020-2021 Measles Immunity Seroepidemiological Study, it was estimated that 89.8% of study participants had measles antibodies (protection from the disease) either through past illness or vaccination. It should be noted that the last measles epidemic occurred in Greece, in the period 2017-2018 with more than 3,200 cases and 4 deaths.
The symptoms of measles
Central to the measles prevention strategy is vaccination. Measles control and elimination, according to WHO, requires achieving at least 95% vaccination coverage with both the 1st and the booster dose of measles vaccine at the regional and national levels.
What the National Immunization Commission says
On the occasion of the outbreak of measles cases in European countries, as well as the appearance of measles cases in our country, the National Immunization Committee recommends the immediate vaccination with the measles-rubella-mumps (MMR) vaccine of children, adolescents and adults who have not been vaccinated with the necessary doses. In particular, according to the vaccination schedule for children and adolescents, 2 doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended, with the 2nd dose given at the age of 24–36 months (but it can be given earlier, as long as 4 weeks have passed after the first dose) . Both doses of vaccine should be given after 12 months of age. Children and adolescents who have not been vaccinated with the 2nd dose should make up for it as soon as possible. Regarding adults, it is emphasized that according to the adult vaccination schedule, people born before 1970 are considered immune. Those born after 1970 should have been vaccinated with two (2) doses of MMR, with an interval of at least 4 weeks between doses. In the event that there is no history of disease or the history of vaccination is unknown, the person is considered unvaccinated and the administration of two doses of vaccine with a minimum interval of 4 weeks is recommended. That is why checking the health books of children, adolescents and adults and completing the vaccination of people who are not sufficiently vaccinated as well as people at particularly high risk, is of great importance.
EODY recommendations
THE EODYin the context of dealing with a potential outbreak of measles cases, decided to implement the following measures in order of priority:
- Informing the population to check their vaccination coverage and timely completion of vaccination with two doses, according to the National Vaccination Program, in case it has not been completed and there is no previous recorded illness.
- Additional information actions with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, Municipalities and local medical associations in areas with low vaccination coverage.
- Cooperation of EODY with the NGO “Health for All” to carry out mass vaccination in Roma camps with the assistance of the Mobile Health Teams (COMY). For this purpose, EODY will procure measles-rubella-mumps vaccines.
- Information for refugee and immigrant accommodation centers, although the hosts are usually vaccinated, due to the mobility of the population and congregating, which favors transmission.
- Informing the medical and nursing staff and assessing their vaccination coverage.
- Informing travelers to complete measles vaccination prior to travel, particularly if they are to travel to countries with outbreaks, in collaboration with travel and tourism agencies.
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