Measles "walking" around the planet "looking in" and to Greece

There is an outbreak of measles in many European countries. Three cases were also found in Greek Crete.

According to the Ministry of Health, adults became ill. Giorgos Sourvinos, professor of clinical virology at the University of Crete and head of the virology laboratory, notes that so far these are three separate cases, but reminds us of the need for vaccination. It will help avoid an outbreak scenario on the island and in the country as a whole, as is currently happening in many European countries.

By information Creta24, all three cases were detected in Chania. By decision of the leadership of the Ministry of Health and the head of ΕΟΔΥ, a special working group was created to increase vaccination coverage of the population and combat possible cases of measles. According to Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Member of the National Immunization Committee (EEE) and Alternate Member of the EODY Board of Directors, Ms Vasilikis Papaevangelou, there is “no cause for particular concern” at this stage, but notes that “competent authorities must be on alert and the population of the country should be aware and follow their recommendations.”

To prevent a possible measles outbreak, the following measures have been taken in order of priority::

1. Informing the population about the timely completion of vaccination with two doses, according to the National Vaccination Program, in case it is not completed and the disease has not been previously registered.
2. Additional awareness-raising activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, municipalities and local medical associations in areas with low vaccination coverage.
3. Cooperation between ΕΟΔΥ and ΜΚΟ “Υγεία για Όλους” (“Health for All”) to carry out mass vaccination in Roma camps with the assistance of ΚΟΜΥ. For this purpose, ΕΟΔΥ will purchase vaccines against measles, rubella and mumps.
4. Information for refugee and immigrant accommodation centers, although hosts are usually vaccinated due to population mobility facilitating transmission.
5. Informing medical and nursing personnel, assessing vaccination coverage.
6. Informing travelers about the need to be vaccinated against measles before travel, especially if they intend to travel to countries with outbreaks, in collaboration with travel agencies.

It was decided that the working group will meet regularly to coordinate actions based on data from the ΕΟΔΥ surveillance systems.

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