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In a concerning development, two cases of measles have been reported in Cyprus, raising alarms among health authorities. The Director of the Pediatric Department at Makarios Hospital, Avraam Elia, highlighted the rising measles cases in Europe since June 2023, attributing it to a significant portion of the population being unvaccinated due to parental opposition or disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Elia emphasized the highly contagious nature of measles, pointing out that the two affected children in Cyprus were unvaccinated. He stressed the importance of achieving a vaccination coverage of 95% to effectively protect the population. Dr. Elia debunked past concerns linking the measles vaccine to autism and urged public adherence to vaccination, emphasizing its proven effectiveness and safety.
The disease spreads easily in crowded spaces, primarily through respiratory secretions. Complications, especially in children under 5 and adults over 20, can include pneumonia, acute suppurative otitis media, and, rarely, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Health officials, including Elisavet Constantinou, Director of Medical Services and Public Health Services, urged compliance with the national vaccination schedule to curb the spread of measles.
[Information sourced from CNA]
