In Ukraine, 2,373 cases of measles were registered in January–July 2025 (6.2 per 100,000 population), which is 14% more than in the same period in 2024. Children under 17 years of age predominate among those affected (73.8%). Among children under 17 who contract measles, the largest proportion are children aged 1–4 and 15–17 (29.1% and 21.3%).
Measles is one of the most contagious human infections: one patient can infect an average of 12–18 unimmunized people.
The virus remains airborne for up to 2 hours after the sick person has left the room and spreads through small aerosols.
The patient becomes contagious 4 days before the rash appears and remains so for another 4 days after its appearance, so it is important to start isolation early.
Koplik's spots — small whitish spots on the mucous membrane of the cheeks opposite the molars — are a classic early sign of measles.
Nine out of ten unvaccinated contacts become infected after contact with a sick person if they do not have immunity.
The most common complications are otitis, diarrhea, and pneumonia; the most dangerous are encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which can appear years later.
Measles causes “immune amnesia” — it temporarily weakens protection against other infections, increasing the risk of illness for months and years after recovery.
The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is administered in Ukraine at 12 months and 6 years of age; two doses provide approximately 97% protection, and herd immunity requires ≥95% vaccination coverage.
After contact with a sick person, prevention is possible: MMR vaccination within 72 hours or immunoglobulin within 6 days can prevent or alleviate the course of the disease.
Humans are the only reservoir of the virus, so measles can be eliminated through high and stable vaccination coverage.
You can find out about the availability of the measles vaccine in medical institutions in the Donetsk region on the official website of the State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH MOH” at the link State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH MOH” https://dn.cdc.gov.ua/citizens/vaccination/
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State Institution “DONETSK OCCPH MOH”