Ukraine health officials report an additional 2,611 measles cases the week ending Dec. 8, including 847 adults and 1,764 children.

Image/Clker-Free-Vector-Images
Image/Clker-Free-Vector-Images

Since the beginning of 2018, 44,937 people (17,418 adults and 29,519 children) have contracted measles in Ukraine, including 15 deaths.

The highest figures have been reported in Lviv (totaling 10,232 people: 2,871 adults and 7,361 children), Ivano-Frankivsk (4,828 people: 1,293 adults and 3,535 children), Transcarpathian (4,289 people: 882 adults and 3,407 children), Ternopil (3,060 people: 1,026 adults and 2,034 children), Kyiv (2,780 people: 1,667 adults and 1,133 children), Chernivtsi (2,759 people: 885 adults and 1,873 children).

The outbreak has affected children ages 5-9 who did not receive a second dose of the MMR on time, nd did not develop the necessary immunity.

As of November 1, the number of children who received the first dose of MMR in time was 76.1%, two doses of MMR – 77.5%.

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Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people.  People first develop a fever, then may have a cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by appearance of a rash.  People are considered infectious from four days before to four days after the appearance of the rash.