Three infants aged between 12 and 17 months have been hospitalised with measles at Makarios Hospital in Cyprus, all from the same nursery school, health officials said on Wednesday.
Avraam Elia, Director of the Paediatric Clinic at Makarios Hospital, confirmed the children are no longer in danger but emphasised the highly contagious nature of the disease.
“Measles is transmitted through droplets and is a very contagious disease,” Elia said. “Sometimes it can be transmitted two days before the patient even develops the rash.”
The outbreak comes amid growing concerns about vaccination rates in Europe. Cyprus recorded 11 measles cases last year, Elia said.
He urged parents to ensure timely vaccination of their children against the disease.
“It is a safe vaccine and provides significant protection for children against measles,” he said, adding that the first dose should be administered at 12-13 months of age with a second dose following shortly after.
Health officials attribute the recent resurgence of measles across Europe to declining vaccination rates, with many parents choosing not to vaccinate their children.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has repeatedly warned about the consequences of vaccination hesitancy in recent years, as measles cases continue to rise across several European countries.
Measles can cause serious complications, particularly in young children, and the World Health Organisation recommends at least 95% vaccination coverage to prevent community outbreaks.
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