Tengrinews.kz – The Ministry of Healthcare announced that Kazakhstan is currently experiencing an unfavorable epidemiological situation regarding measles and whooping cough.
According to the Ministry’s press service, 75 percent of measles cases and 87 percent of whooping cough cases involve children who have not received scheduled vaccinations.
The Ministry did not specify exactly how many children have been infected with measles and whooping cough. Officials urged parents to ensure children are vaccinated on time.
On April 27, Kazakhstan launched European Immunization Week, which will run until May 3.
"Thanks to vaccinations, Kazakhstan has not recorded any cases of poliomyelitis since 1996 and diphtheria since 2009. The incidence of mumps has decreased more than 100 times, hepatitis A by 32 times, hepatitis B by 92 times, and rubella by more than 2,000 times," the statement said.
Today, the immunization program covers protection against 21 infections.
It should be noted that measles outbreaks were recorded in Kazakhstan over the past two years. Epidemiologists stated that the reason for the rise in cases was the significant number of children who missed scheduled vaccinations — and they were the most affected group.
Doctors have also reported an increase in whooping cough cases due to low vaccination coverage.
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by a virus. The measles virus spreads easily through breathing, coughing, or sneezing by an infected person. The infection can cause severe illness, complications, and even death.
Whooping cough (pertussis) is an acute bacterial respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, characterized by severe bouts of spasmodic coughing followed by a "whoop" sound and vomiting, often ending with the production of thick, sticky mucus. The bacteria are transmitted via airborne droplets during coughing, sneezing, or talking.