Bosnia and Herzegovina: 2024 Measles

[Shiloh]

Source: https://sarajevotimes.com/an-epidemic-of-measles-was-declared-in-canton-sarajevo/


An Epidemic of Measles was declared in Canton Sarajevo
February 10, 2024

​An epidemic of the infectious disease measles has been declared in the Sarajevo Canton, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The document lists the measures that will be taken in order to suppress the epidemic.

According to the announcement, during the duration of the epidemic, the measures foreseen by the Law on the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases will be implemented.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/bosnia...measles-outbreak-2024-dref-operation-mdrba016


Bosnia and Herzegovina Epidemic - Measles Outbreak 2024 DREF Operation (MDRBA016)
Format Situation Report
Source IFRC
Posted 22 Apr 2024
Originally published 22 Apr 2024


Description of the Event

Date when the trigger was met: 2024-04-09

What happened, where and when?

The outbreak of measles in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) began at the beginning of 2024. Initially, in January and February 2024, the highest number of cases were recorded in Bijeljina, Banja Luka, and the Tuzla Canton, specifically in the cities of Tuzla and Živinice. Subsequently, the number increased in the Sarajevo Canton, especially in mid March, where it is still on the rise. Measles cases have also been reported in the Brčko District of BiH. In addition to measles, cases of pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox) are also being recorded.

According to official data from the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of BiH, in the last three months, from January to April 2024, a total of 1,749 cases of measles have been reported, with the highest number in the Sarajevo Canton (1,243 cases), Tuzla Canton (423 cases), Zenica-Doboj Canton (56) and Central-Bosnia Canton (23). Comparing monthly data, a significant increase can be observed from 76 cases in January 2024 to 289 cases in February and 949 cases in March 2024. 88 cases of pertussis were also reported in the Zenica-Doboj Canton from January to March 2024. Hospital visits have now been prohibited due to this situation.

Following the epidemiological situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina through daily, weekly, and monthly reports from the Institute of Public Health, it was noted that in the last week of March 2024, the number of confirmed measles cases suddenly increased fourfold, especially in Sarajevo. Considering that the peak of the epidemic (late March) recorded 1,017 cases, and with 252 cases reported in just the first week of April, it is presumed that the number of confirmed cases will exceed the total for the previous three months. In the last week of March 2024, a meeting was held with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) country office in BiH. In the first week of April, another meeting was held with representatives from the Institute of Public Health. Official information from both the Institute of Public Health and the WHO country office from 9 April confirmed the need for the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be involved in supporting efforts to control epidemics and conduct promotional and educational campaigns.

Additionally, a meeting between the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Public Health Institute of the Federation of BiH was held on April 9 regarding the current measles and epidemics in the country. During the meeting with the Public Health Institute, it was agreed to initiate more concrete activities working with local communities and emphasize the importance of additional vaccine promotion. As a result, the meeting served as the trigger to initiate the DREF request.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://sarajevotimes.com/an-18-years-old-man-dies-of-measles-infection-in-bih/

An 18 Years-old-Man dies of Measles Infection in BiH
July 19, 2024


The Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica (INZ) reported the first case of death from measles in the area of ​​the Zenica-Doboj canton – confirmed doctor Alisa Kozica, head of the Department for Epidemiology and Hygiene of INZ.

“It is about a male person, born in 2006 from Zenica, hospitalized in the Zenica Cantonal Hospital (KBZ) – said doctor Kozica.

In the period from January 1 to July 19 of this year, the total number of measles patients is 1,218 cases, according to reports received about infectious diseases in the area of ​​ZDK. The most reported cases were in Zenica – 487, Kakanj – 443, and Visoko – 185. Today, the competent Ministry declared an epidemic in this canton.​...
​

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://sarajevotimes.com/the-number-of-people-infected-with-measles-is-stagnating-in-bih/

The Number of Persons infected with Measles is stagnating in BiH
August 10, 2024

​”Analyzing the percentages of pre-vaccination with the MRP vaccine, it can be seen that there has been an increase in the scope of vaccination of children in the area of ​​the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC),” said the responsible cantonal minister of health, Aida Salcinovic.

On July 19th of this year, ZDC officially declared a measles epidemic in that canton, in which a total of 1,440 infected persons were recorded since the beginning of the year, of which 112 were hospitalized. One person died, and one deceased was from the category “lost from surveillance in the area of ​​ZDC“.

Most of the infected are children under the age of six, of whom 894 or 62.1 percent were recorded, followed by children aged 7 to 17, of whom 393 or 27.3 percent. There are 47 or 3.3 percent of young people from 15 to 24 years of age, and 96 or 6.7 percent of people from 25 to 49 years of age. When it comes to those over 50 and up to 64 years of age, only 10 people or 0.7 percent were recorded, which is within the realm of statistical error.

”The age of those infected suggests that the insufficient vaccination of children is the biggest cause of the appearance of infection in an epidemic form. Namely, 1,340 infected were not vaccinated, 81 were completely unvaccinated, and only 19 infected were fully vaccinated,” Minister Salcinovic states.

The most infected people are in Zenica – 653 or 45.3 percent, then in Kakanj 471 or 32.7 percent, in Visoko 209 or 14.5 percent and Zavidovici 74 or 5.1 percent.

In other areas, the number of infected people is significantly lower, and only more than 10 infected people were recorded in Olovo – 12. The highest number of infected people was recorded in June – 560, last month 406, and in the first days of August 28people​...