Measles Outbreak: Over 6,000 Cases Reported
Measles outbreak in Kyrgyzstan: Over 6,000 cases registered since the beginning of the year
At least 6,081 cases of measles have been reported in Kyrgyzstan since the start of the year, according to the Director of the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, Gulbara Ishenapysova.
The outbreak originally began in 2023 with a total of 7,046 cases recorded. Ishenapysova highlighted that due to the seasonality of the disease, an increase in cases is typically seen during the autumn-winter period, leading to a tense start to the year.
To combat the outbreak, efforts have been intensified following protocol instructions from the Cabinet of Ministers. An additional immunization campaign is currently underway, with adjustments made to the vaccination schedule – specifically, the age of the second vaccination has been lowered from 6 years to 2 years.
Furthermore, active engagement with the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of Kyrgyzstan is ongoing, as religious reasons account for 48 percent of vaccination refusals.
Ishenapysova emphasized that there is no specific treatment for measles and that the disease weakens the immune system, requiring approximately a year for full recovery. During this period, children who have recovered remain vulnerable to infections.
It is imperative for the public to follow vaccination guidelines and recommendations to prevent the further spread of measles in Kyrgyzstan.
