Measles cases climbing in Zhetysu region

The measles cases are rising in Zhetysu region, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Early November some 10 measles cases were detected weekly. For the past several weeks it grew by eight times up to 84 cases, the sanitary and epidemiological control said in a statement.

417 measles cases were laboratory-confirmed since the start of the year. Most of them were registered in children under five years old. 82.5% of all infected are unvaccinated.

The additional mass vaccination against measles began in the region to curb its spread. 117,655 people or 33.4% of the population are subject to vaccination. Of which 2,391 are babies aged 6-10 months old, 11,882 are toddlers aged 2-4, and 2,918 are health workers.

As earlier reported, Kazakhstan ranks among the Top 3 countries with measles outbreaks.