The first outbreak of measles since 2018 has been recorded in Latvia, reported Ilze Udre, a representative of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), to the LETA agency.
The CDC is conducting an epidemiological investigation of the outbreak and organizing infection control measures.
As of March 17, five cases of measles have been registered, including three laboratory-confirmed cases, two among schoolchildren and one in an adult, as well as two suspected cases among schoolchildren, the laboratory test results of which have not yet been received. All registered cases are epidemiologically linked.
According to Udre, the number of identified contacts is very high - at least 800 people. Among them are contacts identified in educational institutions, as well as contacts within the families of patients, at mass events, during international transport, and in other places.
The risk of further spread of the infection, especially among the unvaccinated, is considered high. Additionally, it is impossible to identify all contacts, especially random contacts in public places.
Contacts have been given recommendations, including what to do in case of illness, including self-isolation. The information necessary for medical monitoring of contacts is being passed on to family doctors. This includes monitoring symptoms, laboratory tests if necessary, and assessing vaccination status.
The CDC has also sent methodological materials to doctors and hospitals to raise awareness about the diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, and prevention of measles.
Udre also notes that, unlike some other EU countries, the situation in Latvia has been favorable in recent years.
In particular, in 2025, one imported case of measles was confirmed. Also, in 2023, one imported case of measles was confirmed.
From 2020 to 2022, there were no registered cases of measles in Latvia, and in 2019, three cases were registered.
The last outbreaks of measles in Latvia were recorded in 2018, when 25 cases were registered, and in 2014, when 36 cases were registered.
Udre emphasizes that measles is a vaccine-preventable infection, and vaccination is the only effective way to protect against the disease and prevent outbreaks of measles.
Although every child in Latvia has the right to a state-funded measles vaccination, an analysis of vaccination data conducted by the CDC shows that about 14,000 or 4% of children aged one to 17 have not received any measles vaccinations.
Infection may have occurred on February 21-22 at the "Ļutauras viktorinas" event in Riga.
The epidemiological investigation showed that the person infected with measles flew on flight TK1758 from Riga to Turkey on March 5. The CDC informed Turkish authorities about this case to identify passengers who may have been exposed to the infection.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads from person to person through tiny droplets in the air when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. The risk of infection is particularly high when being in the same room with an infected person.
