The National Public Health Agency said measles started to retreat. The last case of infection was confirmed by lab tests on September 7, IPN reports.

In a press release, the Agency said no case of measles was reported in Moldova in 2008-2011. In 2012-2014, there were recorded 40 cases. After a pause of three years, in 2017, measles started to spread and 281 cases have been confirmed so far this year. Most of these were logged in August, after a child from Ceadâr Lunga returned contaminated from a visit to Ukraine and infected almost 100 persons while being at a summer camp in Morenii Noi village of Ungheni district.

The largest number of cases were reported in Ceadâr-Lunga district – 147. The persons of the 5-9 age bracket were the most affected – 38%. There were also affected eight children younger than one year.

In 89.3% of the cases, the persons weren’t vaccinated. Most of these refused to be immunized for religious or personal convictions.

Measles spreads very swiftly in unvaccinated communities. A sick child can infect up to 18 children. The disease is very contagious and dangerous and its symptoms include fever and eruptions accompanied by cough, rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis. The consequences of measles are very serious and can even lead to death.