The National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (IKSHPK) issued a warning on Wednesday, reporting nine cases of measles in the second week of May among children aged 1 to 5. The institute directly attributed the outbreak to a lack of vaccination.
In a Facebook announcement, IKSHPK detailed the geographical distribution of the cases: four were reported in Ferizaj, two in Shtime, and one each in Lipjan, Graçanica, and Fushë Kosovë. Crucially, all reported cases involve children who have not received the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.
“IKSHPK warns that these are no longer just imported cases, but cases of measles appearing within the community in Kosovo, directly as a result of non-vaccination,” the institute emphasized in its statement, highlighting a concerning shift in the outbreak’s dynamics.
Measles, a highly contagious viral infection according to the World Health Organization (WHO), manifests with a characteristic skin rash that typically begins with spots on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the chest, back, and eventually the legs. Accompanying symptoms include fever, dry cough, runny nose, and sore throat. The infection progresses in stages over two to three weeks.
While measles is preventable through vaccination, it can lead to serious complications or even be fatal in certain instances. Earlier this year, IKSHPK had stated that a disease outbreak was “not expected” due to the previously reported “high” vaccination rate among children. The institute claims that the measles vaccination rate in Kosovo stands above 90%.
However, recent data reveals a slight decline in MMR vaccination rates across Europe. Coverage for the first dose fell from 96% in 2019 to 93% in 2022, while the second dose uptake decreased from 92% to 91%. This emerging cluster of cases underscores the critical importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of this highly infectious disease within the Kosovar community.
