On the organization and conduct of sanitary and anti-epidemic and sanitary and preventive measures for measles in the Republic of Kazakhstan

According to the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is now a threat of the spread of measles in various regions of the world, as COVID-19 has led to a decrease in vaccination coverage and a weakening of epidemic surveillance for this disease.

Over the past year, 155.5 thousand cases of measles were registered in the world in 150 countries with deaths registered.

The complication of the epidemiological situation for measles at the beginning of 2023 is also noted in neighboring countries (Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, etc.).

Currently, 62 cases of suspected measles have been registered in Kazakhstan, of which 26 cases have been laboratory confirmed. At the same time, in 7 cases out of 26 (26.9%), the disease was imported from other countries (Turkey - 5, Kyrgyzstan - 1, Tajikistan - 1).

In order to prevent the growth and spread of the incidence of measles, the occurrence of outbreaks among the population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and also taking into account the unfavorable epidemiological situation in the incidence of measles in the current year, a Decree was issued on the organization and conduct of sanitary and anti-epidemic and sanitary and preventive measures for measles in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In accordance with the Decree, the following is carried out:

1) epidemiological investigation of each case of measles and epidemiological examination of foci of infection in order to establish their boundaries, identify the source of infection, contact persons with the establishment of information about received prophylactic vaccinations against measles;

2) laboratory test for measles;

3) emergency vaccination of contact persons under 30 years of age no later than 72 hours from the moment of the last contact with a patient with measles after obtaining informed consent, including foreign citizens;

4) daily medical monitoring of contact persons for 21 days from the date of detection of the last case of the disease;

5) vaccination of medical workers under 55 years of age who have not previously been vaccinated against measles, after obtaining informed consent.