Epidemiological characteristics of measles in the Ryazan region in 2000–2023: current trends and unresolved problems

Abstract

The aim of the work was to analyze and identify the features of the epidemic process of measles in the Ryazan region in 2000–2023. Based on the study of materials from state reports «On the state of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population.» It was found that there was no constant circulation of the measles virus in the Ryazan region in 2000–2023. There have been periodic increases in morbidity due to the importation of the pathogen with its subsequent spread among unvaccinated individuals. The main reasons for the deterioration of the epidemic situation were errors in the immunoprophylaxis of the population, mainly associated with refusals of preventive vaccinations and violation of immunization schemes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking into account the identified features, a set of measures aimed at achieving the elimination of measles in the studied region is proposed.