site.btaHealth Minister Extends Pertussis-Containment Measures

Temporary epidemic-control measures against the spread of pertussis in the country were extended until the end of the year on Wednesday by an order of caretaker Health Minister Galya Kondeva.

Under the measures, pregnant women will have an option to receive a single-jab combined diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) immunization between the 27th and 36th documented week inclusive. The immunization is recommended and free of charge and will be administered at the regional health inspectorates and/or at designated medical-treatment facilities.

All general practitioners should promptly immunize their patients against pertussis when they reach the appropriate age and without undue delay, in accordance with the Immunization Calendar of the Republic of Bulgaria, the order further states.

In the last reporting week -  July 21-28 - a total of 88 pertussis cases were recorded in the country, according to the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. Of these, 35 pertussis cases were registered in Sofia, according to the Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate. Since the beginning of the year, 2,231 cases of the disease have been registered in the country. A total of eight cases were registered for the same period last year.