Extremely contagious and untreatable disease: Measles detected in Ukraine, what you need to know
Several cases of measles have been reported in Ukraine. This disease is highly contagious and has no specific treatment.
“Several cases of measles, a dangerous and highly contagious infectious disease, have been registered in Ukraine,” the Ministry of Health of Ukraine said in a statement.
What is the danger of measles?
Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and, in rare cases, disability and death. It is important to keep in mind that the infection is extremely contagious, and out of 10 unvaccinated or immune individuals who have been in contact with a measles patient, 9 may also become ill.
Who is at risk?
All unvaccinated children and adults are at risk. Measles is especially dangerous for the following groups of people:
- Children who have not yet been vaccinated or have not completed the full course of vaccination.
- Persons with complaints of immunodeficiency conditions or with serious problems of the immune system.
- Pregnant women who are not immune to measles, as the disease can affect the health of the fetus.
- Persons who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Vaccination against the disease
There is no specific treatment for measles. The only reliable protection is vaccination. To protect against measles, rubella and mumps, you need to get two doses of the vaccine. Ukraine has included this in the National Vaccination Schedule, according to which the first dose is given at 12 months and the second at 6 years of age.
Unvaccinated adults are recommended to receive at least one, and preferably two, vaccinations at least one month apart. It is important to do this before pregnancy, as measles vaccination is contraindicated in pregnant women.
If your child is not vaccinated against measles according to age, you should immediately contact your pediatrician or family doctor and have them vaccinated. Measles, rubella and mumps vaccination is free for children under 18 years of age.
Unvaccinated adults also have the opportunity to protect themselves from measles by visiting a family doctor or private clinic for a vaccine, but in this case they will have to pay the cost of the vaccine.
It should be recalled that during the war, the risk of outbreaks of many infectious diseases, including measles, increases. During the first six months of 2023, 20 cases of the disease were recorded in Ukraine.
