In the afternoon, the Institute for Public Health of Montenegro registered a second case of measles in a 12-year-old child from Rožaj, who was not vaccinated.
The IJZ said that immediately after confirming the case, measures were taken to reduce the risk of further spread of the disease.
"Epidemiological research is carried out by the Rožaje Health Center, while the Institute for Public Health provides the necessary support. In all surrounding countries, epidemics of measles have been registered (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Romania) with over 5.200 patients and at least 8 deaths since six children, four under the age of one," said the IJZ.
Measles is an acute infectious respiratory disease that is characterized by high fever, cough, conjunctivitis, the appearance of a fine-grained red rash, frequent complications (up to 3 out of 10 infected people develop some of the complications), and can even lead to death.
"The measles virus is most easily transmitted by direct contact with droplets of secretions from the nose, mouth and throat that infectious persons throw into their environment when sneezing, coughing or speaking, as well as through the air, i.e. by inhaling aerosols because the virus can remain in the air after the infected person leaves the room. Possible is also indirect transmission during contact with nasopharyngeal secretions with freshly contaminated objects," said the IJZ.
The only real prevention measure, said the Institute, is vaccination, which is carried out with a combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. Full vaccination involves receiving two doses of the vaccine, the first dose of which should be received as soon as possible after one year of age. The vaccine is safe and very effective, and it is especially important to receive the vaccine on time, without delay.
The Institute for Public Health of Montenegro and the health centers will also organize vaccinations at additional times this coming weekend, which we will inform the public about in a separate announcement.
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