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What happened, where and when?
The measles outbreak in Bosnia and Herzegovina started in early 2024. Initially, in January and February 2024, the highest number of cases were recorded in Bijeljina, Banja Luka, and the Tuzla Canton, specifically in the cities of Tuzla and Živinice. Following the epidemiological situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina through daily, weekly, and monthly reports from the Institute of Public Health, it was noted that in the last week of March 2024, the number of confirmed measles cases suddenly increased fourfold, especially in Sarajevo. Monthly data revealed a notable increase, with cases rising from 76 in January to 289 in February, and surging to 949 in March.
Measles cases have also been reported in the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to measles, cases of pertussis (whooping cough) and varicella (chickenpox) have also being recorded. Additionally, 88 cases of pertussis were reported in the Zenica-Doboj Canton between January and March 2024.
According to official data from the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, from January to April 2024, a total of 1,749 cases of measles were reported. The highest numbers were recorded in the Sarajevo Canton, with 1,243 cases, followed by Tuzla Canton with 423 cases, Zenica-Doboj Canton with 56 cases, and Central-Bosnia Canton with 23 cases.
In the last week of March 2024, a meeting was held with representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) country office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the first week of April, another meeting was held with representatives from the Institute of Public Health.
Official information from both the Institute of Public Health and the WHO country office from 9 April confirmed the need for the Red Cross Society of Bosnia and Herzegovina (RCSBiH) to be involved in supporting efforts to control epidemics and conduct promotional and educational campaigns.
Additionally, a meeting between the RCSBiH and the Public Health Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on 9 April regarding the current measles and epidemics in the country. It was agreed to launch more concrete activities with local communities, highlighting the importance of enhanced vaccine promotion. Consequently, the meeting acted as a catalyst for initiating the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) request.