A case of measles has been laboratory-confirmed in Latvia, and in connection with this case, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) is calling on passengers from the April 16 Moscow–Riga bus to come forward, CDPC informed news agency LETA.
Epidemiologists have launched an investigation to identify the circumstances of the infection, determine the patient’s contacts, and organize necessary measures to prevent further spread of the disease.
The individual with measles arrived in Riga on April 17 at 12:45 PM on an international “Ecolines” bus that departed Moscow on April 16 at 5:15 PM. The CDPC has requested passenger information from the bus operator but has not yet received it.
The CDPC urges all passengers on that trip, as well as crew members, to urgently contact CDPC epidemiologists by calling +371 67271738 or emailing [email protected].
Andrej Podgornijs, Chairman of the Board at “Norma-A” Ltd., which operates under the “Ecolines” brand, told LETA that he was not informed about the measles case or the ongoing CDPC investigation.
Measles is a highly contagious acute viral infection spread through airborne droplets or direct contact. Anyone who is not immune — either not vaccinated or never previously infected — and who comes into contact with a measles patient or spends time in the same room (within two hours of the infected person’s presence) is at risk of becoming ill. According to the CDPC website, measles can be a very serious illness and may lead to severe complications.
Symptoms typically include high fever (exceeding 40°C), a fine red rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Complications can include ear infections, pneumonia, or in more severe cases, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Measles can be life-threatening.
Due to insufficient vaccination coverage in some countries, increases in measles cases and outbreaks continue to be reported. This year, new cases have been reported in nine EU countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain.
Measles outbreaks are often linked to infected travelers returning from abroad. As seasonal travel increases, so does the risk of cross-border transmission, the CDPC explains.