EOMS: Vanna Papaevangelou warns about the increase in cases of pertussis and measles in Greece

The cases and have started to increase dramatically in Greece, said Professor of Pediatric Lpoietology EOPI and member of the Board of EODY, Vana Papaevgelou. Since the beginning of the year, 20 cases of measles and 46 pertussis have been identified, according to Vanna Papaevangelou. An infant has lost his life to pertussis, according to the monthly epidemiological briefing of the National Public Health Organization (EODY), while, as mentioned, the outbreak of this disease, as well as measles in Europe and Greece, is due to the vaccination gaps. “If an adult born after 1970 does not know whether he has completed his vaccination with two doses against measles with the MMR vaccine, then he should be considered impervious and vaccinated immediately, especially if he is a health professional,” points out Vanna Papayungello, commenting on the parallel outbreak of pertussis and measles cases: Following the recession of the COVID-19 pandemic and the gradual lifting of social detachment measures, both internationally and in our country a significant increase in the incidence of various common respiratory infections, mainly viral and bacterial such as RSV, influenza, adenovirus, and pneumococococcal infections was observed. There was also an outbreak of acute hepatitis of unknown cause in young children as well as invasive streptococci group infection. A (iGAS) mainly in children and adults. For several months there has been an epidemic of measles in many European countries and since the beginning of 2024 cases have occurred and our country. To date there have been 20 confirmed cases of measles. Ilara: Epidemic outbreak due to free vaccinated or vaccinated children This epidemic in Europe is mainly due to an increase in the number of children who are free of vaccination or fully vaccinated. It is known that the recent pandemic resulted in some children losing doses of vaccines. Notable is that in our country so far there have been no cases in unvaccinated children as cases in their vast majority concern persons of Greek origin aged 45-64 who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (with a single dose). Recent seroedemiological study (2020-2021) in our country showed that immunity to measles is satisfactory since 89.8% had antibodies to measles. But it was lower in children and young adults < 40 years of age and in regional units that had an increased incidence of cases in the recent epidemic of 2017-2018, specifically in Western Greece and East Macedonia and Thrace. It is important to stress that measles have also occurred in health professionals exposed to patients. Thus, in response to the outbreak of measles, the EOB recommends that the population be informed immediately to complete vaccination with a second dose of vaccine in accordance with the National Vaccination Programme (NRP). It is stressed that if an adult born after 1970 does not know whether he has completed his vaccination with two doses against measles with the MMR vaccine, then he should be considered immune and vaccinated immediately, especially if it is a health professional. They should also check their vaccination coverage immediately for those who are going to travel outside Greece due to the global measles outbreak. Finally, the EOMI with the Mobile Health Groups (COMY) and in collaboration with other bodies carries out information and mass vaccination actions in areas with low vaccination coverage. An outbreak of pertussis: 46 cases since the beginning of the year Simultaneous, in recent weeks there has been a significant increase in pertussis cases. While only 9 cases had been reported during 2023, from the beginning of the year up to 14.3 a total of 46 cases have been reported, most involving children and adolescents. In fact, 10 cases (21.7%) concern small infants, i.e. the population group with the greatest morbidity and mortality. In fact, an infant ended up because of pertussis. In order to deal with the exacerbation of pertussis, EODY recommends early vaccination of all infants from the age of 2 months according to the EIA. Special importance for the effective protection of small vulnerable infants is the vaccination of all pregnant women between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately, in our country vaccination coverage of pregnant women is particularly low and it is therefore proposed that if the lechid has not been vaccinated during pregnancy it should be vaccinated immediately after delivery and before being discharged from the maternity ward. At the same time it is proposed to vaccinate all members of the close family environment of the newborn. Thus a safe environment is created for the baby until it is protected from vaccination. It is noted that neither prior infection nor vaccination against pertussis offers life-long immunity. Therefore, all patients exposed to a possible or confirmed case of pertussis should receive antimicrobial therapy aimed at protecting them and preventing dispersal in other vulnerable individuals in the environment. The EGTC shall issue an update each week of epidemiological data and of the guidelines for dealing with epidemic outbreaks.