AN OUTBREAK OF SMALLPOX IN VRANJE AS WELL?

19. October 2017.

Vranje – A student from the Bujanovac area was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Ward of the General Hospital in Vranje on suspicion of suffering from smallpox, it was was confirmed by the Health Center in Vranje.

While being in Pristina, the patient was in touch with persons suffering from the disease, which raises serious doubts as to whether he himself is sick, experts say.

The student with the symptoms of smallpox was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Ward on October13, while the testing, which should confirm whether he is suffering from the disease or not, is still underway.

Goran Ristic, MD, an epidemiologist at the Institute of Public Health in Vranje, said that the case was still regarded as suspicious.

“According to the clinical picture, the case looks like measles, while the risk of further spreading of the infection always exists. For the timer being, everything is uncertain and we are waiting for the viral diagnostics results. Vaccination is not at a satisfactory level, which is the problem, "Dr. Ristic said.

The epidemic of measles emerged in Kosovo and Metohija after 16 years, while there are 100 sick people in Pristina. Also, the disease claimed one child's life.

Smallpox also appeared in the Serbian enclaves in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as in Kosovska Mitrovica, where four people are affected by the disease. There are infected persons in the area of Gracanica, too.

Source: Vranje News and Coordination Body