Special unit set up to fight against measles in Bulgaria

A special unit to fight against measles is holding a meeting on May 29 in the Regional Health inspection in Sofia. The purpose is to identify measures to prevent the significant increase of the number of measles cases in Bulgaria.

Currently, there are 759 measles cases in Bulgaria, the national health inspector Angel Kounchev said.

Two thirds of the cases are in Sofia. There is a large number of cases in Blagoevgrad.

The number of measles cases is 40 times higher compared to the number last year.

The measures identified at today’s meeting include active search of non-immunized children between 13 months and 18 years of age from the GPs' lists; active work with doctors and medical specialists for the early detection and early diagnosis of the disease before the rash has occurred. The measures to identify non-immunized children in kindergartens and schools continue.

Assoc. Prof. Lili Marinova, Regional Health Inspectorate - Sofia: Vaccination is the most important measure to deal with such a situation.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases. The first vaccination is done when the child is 13 months old and the second boost at the age of 12 in order to build immunity.