MOSCOW, February 21 (Itar-Tass) — The number of measles cases in Russia, like in many other countries in the world, is growing, Head of Russia’s consumer rights watchdog, Rospotebnadzor, Gennady Onishchenko said on Tuesday calling for vaccination.
He said that to a big extent the growth of measles cases may be explained by a lack of immunity following refusal of vaccination. He urged adults and their children to take vaccination, as measles is a dangerous infection, which may cause death.
Onishchenko said that 11 of Russia’s territories registered cases of measles, which amounted to over 600 cases in the past year. He spoke about serious outbursts in St.Petersburg’s hospital, where over 100 adults and children got measles.
“The hospital’s doctor organised an infection department with many violations,” he said. “He /the chief doctor/ hampered the investigation.” Now a criminal case on the hospital’s chief doctor is opened.
Onishchenko also said that “the World Health Organisation gave alarming data” on cases of measles throughout the world.
Cases of measles were registered in 43 countries of Europe and Asia, where 32,000 were infected. The worst situation is in France – 15,000 infected, in Italy – 5,000, and in Spain – 2,000.
“A very unfavourable situation is in Ukraine – 2,000 people are infected there,” Onishchenko said. “Those are the Western regions of Ukraine, and the virus genotype was brought from Western Europe.”