The University Clinical Center Tuzla hosted a press conference on the occasion of worsening epidemiological situation in our Canton caused by the measles and whooping cough.
The press conference attended the Minister of Health of Tuzla Canton Dr. Dušanka Bećirević, director for scientific work and education Prof. Dr. Ervin Alibegović, Dr. Blaško Topalović, epidemiologist from the Institute of Public Health Tuzla Canton, head of the Clinic for Children’s Diseases Ass. Prof. Lejla Osmančević, head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Prof. Dr. Rahima Jahić, head of the Polyclinic for Laboratory Diagnostics Prof. Dr. Nijaz Tihić, and head of the Sector for Hygiene and Epidemiological Surveillance Prof. Dr. Amer Ćustović.
In opening remarks at the press conference Prof. Dr. Alibegović informed the media about the activities such as testing patients for respiratory infections, flu, Covid- 19, measles and whooping cough, diagnostics and treatments and the reorganization of the departments undertaken by the University Clinical Center Tuzla.
Minister Bećirović spoke about the coordination between health institutes in the Tuzla Canton and the Public Health Institute of Tuzla Canton, and the criteria needed to declare a measles epidemic in the area of Tuzla and Živinice. The pandemic declaration was preceded by a number of 48 confirmed cases from the first January until today, of which 30 patients were hospitalized at the University Clinical Center Tuzla. The largest number of hospitalized patients, about 70 percent, are children aged one to six.
As the main reason for the outbreak of the measles epidemic is a low percentage of vaccinations, stated Dr. Topalović from the Institute of the Public Health, and added that the percentage of children vaccinated with the MRP vaccine is about 62%, while for successful collective immunity against measles a population vaccination coverage of 95% is highly required .” According to statistical data, in Tuzla Canton, more than 1,300 children are not vaccinated with the MRP vaccine each year, and all of them can potentially get measles, which has different clinical manifestations”, pointed out Dr. Blaško Topalović.
In speaking to the press, head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Prof. Dr. Rahima Jahić said that 29 people of different ages with confirmed measles were hospitalized in this clinic, but the biggest number of hospitalized patients are children.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted through droplets, incubation lasts from 7 to 14 days, and the clinical picture is generally accompanied by elevated body temperature, runny nose, diarrhea and vomiting, sore throat, cough and a rash that moves from the face to the neck and beyond descends down the chest, abdomen and extremities. Also, children are swollen with highly inflamed conjunctivae, and complications include pneumonia and middle ear infections, along with some more severe forms,” explained Prof. Dr. Jahić.
The epidemiological situation is further complicated by the appearance of pertussis, that is, whooping cough in 13 children who were hospitalized in the newly formed department of the Clinic for Children’s Diseases.
“In the best interest of children, we made the decision to open an infectious department for pertussis at the Clinic for Children’s Diseases. Currently we have 13 hospitalized patients, and these are unvaccinated children with severe clinical symptoms. The treatment lasts between 15 and 21 days because pertussis leaves consequences on the respiratory tract and such children can later develop chronic allergic asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis etc. Unfortunately, that number is growing and it will be significantly higher during the weekend,” said the head of the Clinic for Children’s Diseases, Ass. Prof. Lejla Osmančević.