Measles cases surge to nearly 1,200 in Ukraine this year – Kuzin

Since the beginning of the year, almost 1,200 cases of measles have been registered in Ukraine, registered 900 in children under 17, Deputy Minister of Health and Chief Sanitary Doctor Ihor Kuzin has said.

"If you look at the statistics in Ukraine, a total of almost 1,200 cases of measles have been registered in our country since the beginning of the year, among children under 17, almost 900 children. Last year, the figures were at the level of 70 cases. That is, this is a fairly significant increase," he said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kuzin noted that currently the coverage of vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella in Ukraine is at the level of 44%. The lowest figures are in Kyiv, Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

"Measles is now the number one threat, because it is really a dangerous disease, and it is especially necessary to catch up on vaccination or get it as soon as the first opportunity arises. Coverage levels should be at least 95%, Ukraine has been showing an average of 85% to 88% in the last few years," he said.