In Latvia Today, 15:54, an epidemiological investigation into a case of measles in a kindergarten has begun

A possible case of measles was reported on social networks by a user, stating that she received a message from the kindergarten that a child in the group was diagnosed with this viral infectious disease.

SPKC stated that currently an epidemiological investigation has been started, contact persons have been determined, recommendations have been made to the educational institution and family doctors of the contact persons.

Until August this year, one case of measles was registered in Latvia.

According to SPKC statistics on infectious diseases in Latvia, measles was last registered in 2019, when a total of three people were infected with the virus. On the other hand, in 2018, 25 patients were registered.

The SPKC website states that vaccination is the only effective measles prevention measure to prevent measles. For vaccination, the combined vaccine against measles, rubella and epidemic parotitis (MPR) is used. According to the Vaccination calendar, it is done twice. The child receives the first vaccination at the age of 12 to 15 months, and the second one at the age of seven years.

SPKC data show that last year 95.6% of children received the first vaccine, while 85.8% received the booster vaccine. This is respectively 3.2% and 1.1% more than in 2021.

Measles is a highly contagious acute viral infectious disease that spreads through airborne droplets as well as direct contact. Any non-immune person who has not previously been vaccinated against measles or has not had measles, and who has come into contact with a sick person or stayed in premises where a person with measles has been in the last two hours, is at risk of contracting measles. Measles can be a very serious disease, as it can lead to severe complications, according to the SPKC website.