Nine of the suspected measles cases reported in Wallonia this year have tested positive, Health Minister Yves Coppieters said on Tuesday in a regional parliamentary committee.
The infected individuals were isolated during the contagious period, and contact tracing identified high-risk contacts, who were informed to be particularly vigilant for 21 days, Minister Coppieters explained in response to questions from legislators about the global resurgence of measles.
“The existence of a highly effective vaccine allows the WHO to hope for the eradication of measles," the minister said. "Belgium has agreed to participate in this global project."
The Walloon health and social protection agency, AVIQ, is a part of the Committee for the Elimination of Measles and Rubella in Belgium, the minister said. "In this context, genotyping of each case is carried out to track the spread of the disease,” he added.
The WHO recommends a vaccination coverage of 95% to achieve herd immunity. Belgium meets this percentage for the first dose, but not for the second one, which is consistent across all federated entities, Coppieters recalled.
