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Features of the epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in the world as of April 2024

12.04.2024

Features of the epidemiological situation of infectious diseases in the world as of April 2024

(information was prepared based on electronic messages published on the ProMED-mail websites of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, PCR.news, US CDC, European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, World Health Organization (hereinafter referred to as WHO), Rospotrebnadzor, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus, State Institution “Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health”)

Middle East respiratory syndrome (hereinafter referred to as MERS)

From 2012 to December 2023 , a total of more than 2,600 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS were reported worldwide , including 947 associated deaths. Most of these cases have been identified in Saudi Arabia.

As of early December 2023, 2 cases of MERS have been reported in the United Arab Emirates (1) and Saudi Arabia (1).

Over the past period of 2024, no new cases of MERS infection have been registered.

MERS is a viral respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus that was first diagnosed in Saudi Arabia in 2012 . Humans become infected through direct or indirect contact with camels, which are the host and zoonotic source of infection. The virus has demonstrated the ability to be transmitted between people. So far, the observed non-sustained person-to-person transmission has occurred in close contacts and in healthcare settings. Outside of health care settings, person- to- person transmission of the virus was limited.

Ebola virus disease (EVD)

The largest outbreak of EVD occurred in three West African countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) between 2014 and 2016, with more than 28,000 cases and 1,100 deaths reported .

In September 2022, the Ugandan Ministry of Health reported an outbreak of the Ebola virus variant "Sudan". Geographical coverage is limited to five districts in the central part of the country. This is the fifth outbreak of infection since 2000 . Three years ago, imported cases from the Congo with the Zairean type of pathogen were detected in the country .

During the outbreak, a total of 164 cases of the disease were reported, incl. 19 health care workers (142 confirmed, 22 probable), including 77 deaths (55 confirmed deaths and 22 probable deaths), and 87 recoveries.

In 2023 , cases of EVD continued to be reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (hereinafter referred to as the DRC) and Uganda.

No new cases of EVD were registered in the first quarter of 2024.

In humans, EVD is a rare but severe disease. It often leads to death.

People become infected as a result of contact with an infected animal when cutting, preparing or eating it, biological fluids of an infected person (saliva, urine, feces, etc.), things (clothing, sheets, etc.) that may have been contaminated biological fluids of an infected person.

The Ebola virus enters the body through cuts in the skin or by touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Symptoms of EVD can come on suddenly and include fever , weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, kidney and liver dysfunction and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (hereinafter referred to as CCHF )

During 2023, there was an increase in the incidence of CCHF in Asia (Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, India, Pakistan), Europe (Georgia, North Macedonia) and Africa (Senegal).

From July 2023 to January 2024, 19 cases of CCHF among the population were registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan (in the Kyzylorda region - 6 cases, Turkestan region - 6 cases, Zhambyl region - 6 cases and Aktobe region - 1 case (infection occurred in the Kyzylorda region).

CCHF is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus of the Bunyaviridae family . The disease is characterized by fever, pronounced intoxication and hemorrhages on the skin and internal organs. CCHF causes severe outbreaks with a fatality rate of 10-40%.

The CCHF virus is transmitted to humans through tick bites or through contact with infected blood or animal tissue during carcass handling . Most cases of human infection occur during work in animal husbandry (agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers , veterinarians , etc.). The virus can be transmitted from person to person

Marburg virus disease (hereinafter referred to as Marburg virus disease)

In 2023, cases of PVD continued to be reported . Officially, cases were reported in Guinea (17 laboratory confirmed and 23 probable cases). Also, more than 200 people were quarantined as contact persons.

In March 2023, an outbreak of BVD was reported in Tanzania. This is the first documented outbreak in the country. A total of 9 cases of PVD were reported (8 laboratory confirmed and 1 probable), including 6 deaths .

Marburg virus is transmitted to humans by bats and spreads among humans through person-to-person transmission.

Primary human infection occurs as a result of prolonged stay in mines or caves where colonies of Rousettus bats live (contact with biological fluids of animals).

The spread of the virus among people occurs as a result of direct physical contact (through damage to the skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contact with contaminated biological fluids, surfaces and materials (for example, bedding, clothing).

BVVM begins suddenly and is accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature, headache and weakness . A common symptom is muscle pain. On the third day, acute watery diarrhea, pain and cramping in the abdominal area , nausea and vomiting may develop . On days 5-7 of illness, many patients experience severe hemorrhagic symptoms and bleeding, often multiple, is a common symptom in fatal cases.

Yellow fever (hereinafter referred to as YF)

From the beginning of 2023 until 25 February 2024, a total of 13 countries in the WHO African Region have reported probable and confirmed cases of YF (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC), Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Togo and Uganda).

On 25 February 2024, a total of eight countries (Cameroon, Chad, Congo, DRC, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria and South Sudan) reported active transmission of YF with laboratory-confirmed cases.

On March 19, 2024, Colombia, Guyana and Peru reported cases of YF in the Americas region.

In 2023, nearly 62 million people received YF vaccines. This included 57.2 million people covered by preventive mass vaccination campaigns (PMVC) in the DRC, Nigeria and Uganda.

The list of countries on mandatory/recommended vaccination against YF can be found on the website of the state institution “Republican Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health” and the state institution “Minsk City Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology”. Vaccination can be done at the health care institution “19th central district clinic of the Pervomaisky district of Minsk,” where the Republican vaccination office against YF is located .

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It is called “yellow” because some patients develop jaundice. Symptoms: the appearance of high body temperature (up to 39-40°C), headache, jaundice, myalgia, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. The virus is endemic in tropical areas of Africa. Central and South America.

West Nile fever (hereinafter referred to as WNF)

West Nile fever is a widespread infectious disease that is endemic in more than 90 countries around the world. The most difficult situation is developing in the European region and the countries of North America (USA, Canada).

In recent years, WNV has been increasingly spreading to more northern regions of Russia due to climate warming . This creates favorable conditions for the migration of birds, including infected ones, as well as for the development of the virus itself. The main carriers of the infection are mosquitoes , which feed on the blood of infected birds.

The first major outbreak of West Nile fever was registered in Russia in 1999 with a total number of cases of 475 people (in the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions). The epidemic process of WNV in the Russian Federation is characterized by pronounced peaks in the incidence of the population in 1999 - 475 cases, 2010 - 527, 2012 - 447, 2019 - 352 cases. In total, during the period 1997-2020, 2964 cases of WNV disease were registered in 35 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

As of January 2024 , 728 cases of human infection were registered : Italy (336 cases), Greece (162), Romania (103), France (43),

Hungary (29), Spain (19), Germany (6), Croatia (6), Cyprus (5). Deaths were reported by Italy (29), Greece (23), Romania (12) and Spain (3).

Human infection most often occurs as a result of bites from infected mosquitoes. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on the blood of infected birds. During its subsequent feeding on blood (during mosquito bites), the virus can enter the body of people and animals, where it can multiply and lead to disease. A very small proportion of human infections occur through organ transplants, blood transfusions and breastfeeding.

The main symptoms of WNV are fever, headache, fatigue and body aches, nausea, vomiting, sometimes a skin rash (on the trunk) and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can lead to serious conditions - encephalitis or meningitis.

It is estimated that about one in 150 people infected with the virus develop the most severe form of the disease.

Dengue fever

According to WHO, the number of reported cases of dengue fever in the world is increasing every year.

Since the beginning of 2024, more than two million cases of dengue and more than 500 deaths associated with the disease have been reported worldwide. No cases of indigenous (non-travel related) dengue fever have been reported in Europe.

During the period January-March 2024, 6,796 cases (2,759 confirmed; 4,037 suspected) and 4 deaths from dengue fever were reported in 5 African Union countries: Ethiopia (1,725 ​​cases; 2 deaths), Mali (1,627; 0), Mauritius (2,433 ; 2), Sao Tome and Principe (9; 0) and Senegal (18; 0). Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali and Senegal reported 1,369 new cases of dengue fever.

In the first quarter of 2024, 513 cases of dengue fever were registered in Vietnam (Hanoi), which is three times more than in the same period last year. The number of cases averages 17-24 per week. Dong Da district has the highest number of cases with 81, followed by Ha Dong (58), Hoang Mai (43) and Hai Ba Trung (32).

In Thailand in January 2024, more than 8 thousand people became infected with dengue fever, 13 people died. It is reported that in January the disease was registered in 8,197 people, the majority of patients were children from 5 to 14 years old.

According to WHO, dengue fever is one of the most actively spreading vector-borne viral infections (transmitted through insect bites).

About 100 million cases of the disease are registered annually. Three quarters of people who catch dengue fever are asymptomatic.

In most cases, the course of dengue fever is similar to influenza and acute respiratory infections, but sometimes severe, life-threatening forms of the disease with internal and external bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting, and shortness of breath are recorded.

Lassa fever

Lassa fever is most widespread in West Africa (Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Guinea and Sierra Leone). Every year in these countries, up to 500 thousand people suffer from Lassa fever, the number of those infected is about 5 thousand people.

Over the past period of 2024, 2,122 cases of Lassa fever were registered worldwide, which means a significant decrease in infections compared to the same period in 2023 - 8,280.

Since the beginning of 2024, Nigeria, one of Africa's most populous countries, has reported 72 Lassa fever deaths. During the first quarter of 2024, 411 confirmed cases of viral hemorrhagic fever were identified in 21 states in the region, of which 65% of cases were reported in three states (Ondo, Edo and Bauchi).

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with the urine or droppings of infected rodents.

Early symptoms of the disease, such as fever, general weakness and malaise, usually begin gradually. After a few days, you may experience headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough and abdominal pain. In severe forms of the disease, facial swelling may develop, fluid may appear in the pulmonary sinuses, bleeding from the mouth, nose, gastrointestinal tract, and blood pressure may drop. Shock, convulsions, tremors, confusion, and coma may later occur.

Chikunguyya

Diseases caused by the chikunguya virus have been reported throughout the world (in North and South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe). Chikunguya is not endemic in Europe.

Between January and March 2024, approximately 70,000 cases of chikungunya virus disease and 15 deaths were reported worldwide. A total of 16 countries have reported cases in the Americas (11), Asia (4) and Africa (1).

In 2024, no locally transmitted cases of chikungunya have been reported in Europe.

Chikungunya virus is transmitted by mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and zika viruses. These mosquitoes bite mainly during daylight hours.

When an uninfected mosquito sucks the blood of a person infected with chikungunya virus, viral particles can be transferred to the mosquito. The virus then multiplies in the mosquito's body for some time, penetrating its salivary glands, after which it can be transmitted to a new uninfected host with the next bite. In the body of a newly infected person, the virus multiplies again and reaches high concentrations, after which it can be transmitted to other mosquitoes and then continue the transmission cycle.

In patients, chikugunya usually appears 4 to 8 days (range, 2 to 12 days) after being bitten by an infected mosquito. It is characterized by sudden fever, often accompanied by severe joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms of the disease include joint swelling, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash.

Zika fever

Since the beginning of 2024, cases of Zika fever have been reported in 8 countries in the Pan American region (total number of cases is 967) and in 2 countries in South and Southeast Asia (22 cases). A total of 989 cases of Zika fever have been reported worldwide (in 10 countries).

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus first identified in monkeys in Uganda in 1947. Most people infected with the Zika virus do not develop symptoms; in other cases, symptoms include rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headache, and last two to seven days. The Zika virus is transmitted mainly by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes, whose blood-sucking activity occurs mainly during the daytime hours. There is epidemiological evidence of sexual transmission of infection. Preventive measures include the use of repellents and fumigators; protection from mosquito bites during the day and early evening hours; personal protective measures (wearing clothing (preferably light-colored) that covers the body as much as possible); using physical barriers such as window screens and locked doors and windows; change water in storage containers at dachas and in the private sector at least once a week , preventing the breeding of mosquitoes.

Hantavirus disease

In March 2024, a laboratory-confirmed fatal case of a hantavirus was reported in Argentina in a 31-year-old woman.

In the United States (Los Santos), the first case of hantavirus disease was reported in 2024 in a 10 - year-old girl. It is known that the child’s illness was mild and she was in self-isolation at home.

Hantaviruses are rodent-borne viruses that cause clinical illness of varying severity in humans. Each hantavirus is specific to a different rodent host. Transmission of infection to humans occurs through inhalation of dust containing particles of rodent excrement or through their bites.

In mild forms, the infection is often asymptomatic. In the manifest forms, the onset of the disease is sudden, with high body temperature, headache, back and abdominal pain. Relative bradycardia is characteristic, transient moderate hypotension is observed in approximately half of the patients, and shock is less common .

Malaria

From January to mid-February 2024, more than 250 cases of malaria were reported in Namibia's northern Oshikoto region .

At the end of February 2024 , a case of two different forms of malaria in one person was registered in the Russian Federation (Ulyanovsk) . According to the woman, she traveled to African countries, visited Egypt, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

On February 4, 2024 , 2 imported cases of malaria were registered in Lithuania (Vilnius) . In Lithuania, a total of 62 cases of malaria were reported between 2013 and 2023 . Three patients with tropical malaria died.

Malaria is a disease that is transmitted to humans by certain types of mosquitoes. It is found mainly in tropical countries.

The infection is caused by a parasite and is not transmitted from person to person. Malaria is primarily transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Transmission of malaria can also occur through blood transfusions. Initially, the symptoms of the disease may be mild and resemble a variety of fevers, making it difficult to recognize malaria. If left untreated, P. falciparum malaria can become severe and fatal within 24 hours.

Plague

According to a press release from the Sierra County (California) Department of Health, a laboratory-confirmed case of domestic cat distemper was identified on January 26, 2024. Also, on February 7, 2024, in the state of Oregon, Deschutes County, 1 case of human infection with plague was registered, the source of infection was a domestic cat. 1 On March 1, 2024, a man died from complications due to bubonic plague in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

During the 1st quarter of 2024, 157 cases of plague infection were registered in the Ituri province of the DRC, 7 of them fatal.

Plague is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Plague is transmitted from animals to humans as a result of the bite of an infected flea, as well as direct contact with infected objects and airborne droplets.

The most affected countries in Africa are the DRC, Madagascar, Uganda and Tanzania, as well as Mozambique. More than 97% of all plague cases in the world occur in these African countries and almost half of all annual plague cases in Africa occur in Madagascar.

A person infected with the plague usually develops an acute febrile state after the incubation period (from 1 to 7 days). Typical symptoms are a sudden increase in body temperature, chills, headache and body aches, as well as weakness, nausea and vomiting. Depending on the route of infection, there are two main forms of plague infection: bubonic and pneumonic

Anthrax

During the 1st quarter of 2024, a new outbreak of anthrax was registered in Nigeria.

In March 2024, 3 laboratory-confirmed cases of anthrax in humans were reported in Laos. The patients are in serious condition and are undergoing treatment.

On March 11, 2024, three residents of Champassak , Laos tested positive for anthrax, but according to the provincial Department of Health, this number increased to 14 on March 19, 2024. The infections were linked to consumption of goat meat.

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by a spore-forming bacterium. It is a zoonotic infection (disease transmitted from animals to humans) that typically affects herbivores (such as cows, sheep and goats). People can become infected from infected animals or through contaminated animal products. Anthrax occurs throughout the world. It is most common in the agricultural regions of Central and South America, Central and Southwest Asia, Southern and Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean.

The form of the disease in humans depends on the method of entry of the anthrax bacterium into the body: skin, gastrointestinal, pulmonary (inhalation), septic.

Cholera

In January 2024, 40,900 cases and 775 deaths were reported in 17 countries in four regions: the African Region, the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Americas Region and South-East Asia. The number of people in the world infected with this disease in 2023 exceeded 700 thousand.

More than 26,000 cases and 700 deaths were reported in 10 countries in the African region in January 2024, almost double the number of cases reported during the same period in 2023. Currently, outbreaks are occurring in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, DRC, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

In the first quarter of 2024, 54 fatal cases of cholera were reported in Somalia . In the southern states of the country, the capital Mogadishu has seen a significant surge in reported cholera cases over the past 2 weeks . There were 586 new cases reported in 23 counties, 331 of which were in children under 5 years of age.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cho/erae. Infection occurs when food or water containing the pathogen enters the body.

As the clinical picture develops , in most cases the symptoms are mild or moderate. If left untreated, it can be fatal .

Listeriosis

As of April 2024, there have been 23 cases of listeriosis reported in the United States, including 2 deaths. The supposed transmission factors are cheeses, yoghurts and other dairy products from the same company.

Listeriosis is an infectious disease with a predominantly fecal-oral transmission mechanism (through water and food). Infection through cuts and abrasions on the skin, aerogenic infection (when processing animal raw materials) is possible. The causative agent of the disease is a bacterium. The incubation period can be up to 70 days. It is distinguished by clinical polymorphism with manifestations from asymptomatic forms to severe forms with damage to the nervous system, the development of sepsis and high mortality. This is a relatively rare disease - the annual incidence ranges from 0.1 to 10 cases per 1 million people, depending on countries and regions.

Botulism

During the 1st quarter of 2024, 4 cases of botulism were detected in the Russian Federation (Rostov-on-Don, Shakhty, Azov and Salsky districts). All cases are associated with the consumption of canned vegetables and mushrooms.

Also, in Belarus (Grodno region), the first case of botulism was registered in 2024 in a 38-year-old man. The transmission factor was home canned food (lecho).

All sick people were hospitalized.

Foodborne botulism is a serious, potentially fatal disease. This is an intoxication usually caused by the consumption of highly active neurotoxins, botulinum toxins, produced in contaminated foods. Botulism is not transmitted from person to person.

Early symptoms include severe fatigue, weakness and dizziness, usually followed by blurred vision and dry mouth. as well as difficulty swallowing and speaking. Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating may also occur. As the disease progresses, the respiratory muscles and muscles of the lower body may be affected. Body temperature does not rise and loss of consciousness does not occur.

Salmonellosis

In January 2024, an outbreak of salmonellosis was reported in Chile, resulting in more than 60 people affected. The transmission factor was goat cheese sold without appropriate documents.

On March 18, 2024, in Tatarstan, 40 employees of the enterprise became infected with salmonellosis (salmonella was laboratory detected in 17 people).

On March 24, 2024, in Novosibirsk, laboratory-confirmed salmonellosis was registered in 4 children from one preschool institution. It is known that children from different groups ate in the same preschool institution.

On March 19, 2024, it became known that a fatal case of salmonellosis had been reported in Canada.

Salmonellosis is a disease caused by the Salmonella bacterium. It is usually characterized by a sharp increase in temperature, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting.

People usually become infected with salmonellosis by consuming contaminated foods (mostly eggs, meat, poultry, and milk). Transmission of infection from person to person through the fecal-oral route may also occur.

Legionellosis

According to WHO statistics, in Europe, Australia and the USA, there are about 10-15 cases of legionellosis per million inhabitants per year.

From the beginning of 2024 to February 28, 2024, 17 cases of legionellosis were confirmed in Latvia. Last year, 78 cases of the disease were registered, of which 7 were fatal.

Legionellosis is an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria, manifested by fever, intoxication, damage to the respiratory system, often with the development of severe pneumonia. More than 50 species of Legionella are known, half of which can cause disease in humans.

The most common route of transmission of Legionella is through inhalation of contaminated aerosols, which are produced when water sprays, sprays, or mist water in which the bacterium is present. Infection may also occur through aspiration of contaminated water and ice, especially by susceptible patients in hospital settings.

The incubation period for Legionnaires' disease is 2-10 days (but has been reported to be up to 16 days in some outbreaks).

Rabies

In early January 2024, a fatal case of rabies in humans was reported in Goa (India). This is the first death in the last 5 years.

In Malaysia, over the past 7 years, about 78 people have been registered as having contracted rabies from their pets (dogs, cats) that were not vaccinated.

During the 1st quarter of 2024, outbreaks of rabies were registered in Armenia (3 outbreaks), Hungary (11 outbreaks), and France (1 outbreak). In March 2024, 117 cases of rabies among animals were recorded in the Russian Federation . The largest number of cases were detected in the Smolensk, Sverdlovsk, Samara, Voronezh, Chelyabinsk, Tambov, Tyumen, Kurgan and Omsk regions, in the Republic of Mordovia, in the Altai and Krasnoyarsk territories, and the Nenets Autonomous District.

On March 5 , 2024, in Vietnam (Quang Ninh Province), 13 schoolchildren were vaccinated after being attacked by a dog that later tested positive for rabies. So far in 2024, 480 people have been vaccinated in the province.

On March 4, 2024, a fatal case of rabies was reported in India in a woman who was attacked by a stray dog. According to the chief physician of a public hospital in India, the dog bit 20 people, including the deceased woman. All victims received 5 doses of rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin, but the woman went to the hospital and began the vaccination course later than others.

Rabies is a vaccine- preventable viral disease that occurs in more than 150 countries.

Infection in humans usually occurs as a result of a bite, salivation, or scratch inflicted by an infected animal. Transmission of infection can also occur if the saliva of an infected animal comes into direct contact with mucous membranes or fresh wounds on human skin.

The incubation period for rabies usually lasts 2-3 months, but can vary from 1 week to 1 year. In many ways, the incubation period depends on the location of the damage: in case of damage to the face, head and fingers , it. as a rule, shorter, longer in case of damage to the torso and lower extremities. Initial symptoms of rabies include fever and pain, as well as unusual or unexplained tingling, pinching, or burning sensations (paresthesia) at the wound site. As the virus penetrates the central nervous system, progressive, fatal inflammation of the brain and spinal cord develops. At the stage of clinical symptoms, its mortality rate is 100%.

Vaccination and administration of rabies immunoglobulin are critical and can save lives.

Measles

Throughout the world, the epidemiological situation regarding measles has remained tense for several years in a row.

In 2023, countries in the WHO European Region experienced an increase in the incidence of measles. In 42 countries out of 53 (79.2%) of the WHO European Region, more than 30.6 thousand cases of measles were registered. The increase in incidence is more than 30 times compared to 2022 (in 2022, only 938 cases of measles were registered in European countries).

In 2023, the largest number of measles cases was recorded in the Russian Federation - about 7.5 thousand, Kazakhstan - more than 13.2 thousand, Kyrgyzstan - 3.8 thousand, Turkey - 9.7 thousand. Measles outbreaks were also recorded in the USA, South Africa, Nepal.

Since the beginning of 2024, at least 46 regions of the Russian Federation have reported detection of measles cases, of which 16 regions have introduced restrictive measures - quarantine in kindergartens, schools, universities and hospitals. As of February 5, 2024, 33 cases of measles were detected in the Kaliningrad region. Among the sick, 22 children under 18 years of age. And not a single child who fell ill with measles had previously been vaccinated against this infection.

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease characterized by high fever, general intoxication, damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract and the presence of a rash.

The source of infection is only a person with measles. In almost 100% of cases, an unprotected person (not previously vaccinated against measles and/or not sick) will become infected through airborne droplets (after contact with someone who has measles). Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure against measles

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Active movement of the population across the state border of the Republic of Belarus (stay of the population outside the country on tourist and business trips, arrival and temporary stay of foreign citizens from endemic countries) increases the risk of introducing infectious diseases into the territory of the Republic of Belarus, including those diseases that constitute an emergency situation in the field of public health of international importance.

Before departing outside the Republic of Belarus, you must:

  • clarify information about the country to which the trip is planned, especially information about diseases characteristic of this country, as well as measures for their prevention;
  • consult a doctor in order to receive medical recommendations on staying abroad, carrying out preventive vaccinations, if necessary, and clarifying the existing vaccination status against infectious diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, measles, etc.

While staying abroad you must:

  • observe the rules of personal hygiene (wash your hands with soap as often as possible, especially before eating and after visiting public places, use hand sanitizer and sanitary napkins);
  • use only commercially produced bottled or boiled water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, including avoiding drinking drinks with ice;
  • eat only thermally processed food, avoid purchasing food from trays or from random traders; visit food establishments recommended by the travel company;
  • avoid getting water into the mouth when swimming;
  • use repellents, curtains and other means of protection against mosquitoes and other insects; Avoid contact with animals, domestic and wild birds.

After returning from abroad and if clinical symptoms of an infectious disease appear (chills, fever, rash, cough, etc.), you must seek medical help from a healthcare organization, inform your doctor about your arrival from abroad (indicating the exact country and time spent there).