Measles cases on decline in Kazakh capital, says chief medical officer

Chief medical officer of Astana Sarkhat Beissenova said that measles cases are on decline and that unfavorable whooping cough situation is observed in the Kazakh capital, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

98,772 people have received vaccination against measles, whooping cough and hepatitis A in Astana since November last year. This accounts for 81.6% of the total people eligible for vaccination in the city.

The anti-epidemic measures taken contributed to the decline in measles by 1.3 times in February compared to January, and among children aged 1-4 by 1.7 times, said Beissenova.

She went on to add that there have been 80 whooping cough cases recorded among children under 14, of which 86.2% recorded in children under four. Of those infected, 92% are unvaccinated and 8% did not complete a full course of vaccination.

Measles cases in children is on decline, she said. Measles cases among children reached a peak of around 200 cases in the spring and winter; the figure has fallen four times by March this year.

According to Beissenova, as of late March, 380 children are under treatment, including 56 with measles, four with whooping cough, and four with hepatitis A.