Kyrgyzstan is currently grappling with a significant outbreak of measles, with over 2,300 confirmed cases reported since the beginning of the year. The alarming increase in cases has prompted urgent action from the Ministry of Health, which has launched an intensive immunization campaign to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
The latest data, released by the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis and disseminated by the Ministry of Health, reveals a troubling surge in measles cases across the nation. Bishkek, the capital city, has been hit hardest, with 660 cases reported. The Osh region follows closely behind with 654 cases, while Osh City has seen 302 cases and the Chui region has reported 277 cases.
Health officials attribute this surge in measles cases primarily to a decline in the vaccination coverage of both children and adults. Routine immunization against measles and rubella has seen a decrease in recent years, leaving a vulnerable population susceptible to these preventable diseases.
To address this pressing public health issue, the Ministry of Health has initiated an additional immunization campaign specifically targeting measles and rubella. The campaign, which commenced on September 18 and is set to continue until September 29, is being rolled out in regions where the virus is most actively circulating, including Bishkek, Osh, Osh city, and the Chui region. It is open to children aged nine months to seven years, irrespective of their vaccination history or prior exposure to measles and rubella.
The Ministry of Health emphasized the critical importance of this vaccination campaign in curbing the spread of the measles virus and preventing further outbreaks. As of September 26, the coverage of children within the target age group who received additional immunization against measles and rubella reached 55%, a significant step towards achieving herd immunity and reducing the risk of transmission.
Health authorities in Kyrgyzstan are urging parents and caregivers to take advantage of the ongoing vaccination campaign to protect their children and communities from the potentially severe consequences of measles. Vaccination remains one of the most effective means of preventing the spread of this highly contagious disease.
The Ministry of Health is working tirelessly to ensure that the vaccination campaign reaches as many individuals as possible, aiming to achieve higher coverage rates and ultimately bring the measles outbreak under control. Public cooperation, including timely vaccination, is essential in this collective effort to safeguard public health in Kyrgyzstan.
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