Measles in Poland in 2021. / Odra w Polsce w 2021 roku.

INTRODUCTION: Measles is one of the most contagious childhood diseases, and the behavior also occurs in adults. This is a multi-year vaccination covered by an elimination program coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Elimination of measles in the country is conditional on a 95% incidence of infection with two victims, monitoring the epidemiological situation, registering all suspected cases of measles, and monitoring by the WHO Reference Laboratory. In our country, the Department of Virology of the NIZP PZH-PIB in Warsaw serves as the head of the Department of Virology. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological indicators of measles in Poland in 2021 compared to previous years, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The assessment of the epidemiological situation was based on a review of data from the bulletin, "Infectious Diseases and Poisons in Poland in 2021" (5), and the assessment of the immunization status of the population was based on data from the bulletin, "Immunization in Poland in 2021" (6). Classification of cases was made based on the definition used in the 2021 surveillance (7). Data from the epidemiological surveillance system "EpiBase" were also used. RESULTS: In 2021, 13 measles cases were registered in Poland (incidence 0.03 per 100,000), 44.8% less than in 2020 and 80% less than the median in 2014-2018. In 2021, the highest incidence was recorded at 0.32 per 100,000 children aged 0-4 years. 6 patients (46.2%) were hospitalized; no deaths due to measles were reported. 32 suspected measles cases were recorded, with over a hundred cases expected. Vaccination status of children aged 3 with the first dose was 90.8%, and the second dose was given to children at the age of 9. - 84.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological indicators of measles in 2021 in Poland compared to 2020 have decreased. A similar trend observed throughout Europe. This is related to the extinguishment of outbreaks that occurred before the pandemic, mainly in 2019.

Chickenpox in Poland in 2021. / Ospa wietrzna w Polsce w 2021 roku.

INTRODUCTION: Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease, but one that can be effectively prevented by vaccination. In Poland, vaccination against the disease is recommended, paid for, and chickenpox remains very common. In recent years, starting in 2002, the upward trend in the incidence of chickenpox has continued, except in 2020. In 2020, there was a decrease in incidence. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological indicators of chickenpox in Poland in 2021 compared to previous years, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The evaluation of the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2021 was carried out based on the results of the analysis of aggregate data published in the annual bulletins: "Infectious Diseases and Poisons in Poland in 2021" and "Immunization in Poland in 2021". In addition, recommendations from the 2021 Immunization Program are described. RESULTS: 57,669 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland in 2021, 42% less than in the previous year. The incidence of chickenpox in 2021 was 151.1 per 100,000, which was lower than in 2020, as well as in 2019, when it was 470.6/100,000. The lowest incidence was registered in Lower Silesia Province - 99.2/100,000, while the highest in Silesia Province - 215.8/100,000. The highest incidence was in children aged 0-4 years (18,028). The incidence of chickenpox in males was higher than in females (159.5 vs. 143.3/100 thousand), and urban residents were higher than rural residents (152.1 vs. 149.6/100 thousand). Hospitalization due to chickenpox in 2021 included 210 people, which accounted for 0.36% of the total number of registered cases. CONCLUSIONS: In 2021, there was a decrease in the number of chickenpox cases compared to the previous year. The lower incidence may have been the result of a decrease in the transmission of the chickenpox virus, the decrease in the number of cases has to do with, among other things, the restrictions put in place in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, which result in, among other things, reduced human contact, the wearing of masks and increased social distance.

Mumps in Poland in 2021. / Swinka w Polsce w 2021 roku.

INTRODUCTION: Mumps is a contagious viral disease occurring mainly in children, the source of infection being the sick/infected person. Since 2003, vaccination against mumps has been mandatory in Poland, performed according to a two-dose schedule. As part of the Public Health Immunization Program (PSO), the MMR combination vaccine (against measles, mumps and rubella) is used for the entire population of children. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiological indicators of mumps in Poland in 2021 compared to previous years, taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis of the epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2021 was based on the interpretation of data from the bulletin , "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2021" and , "Immunization in Poland in 2021". RESULTS: 484 cases of mumps were registered in Poland in 2021. The total incidence was 1.3 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than in 2020. The highest incidence of 1.8 per 100,000 residents was registered in Pomorskie Province, and the lowest incidence of 0.7 in Lower Silesia Province. The highest incidence (6.4/100 thousand) was recorded in children aged 0-4 and 5-9. The incidence rate for men (1.4/100,000) was higher than for women (1.1). In 2021, there were 9 patients hospitalized due to mumps, this was more than in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in the number of cases of mumps in 2021 remained related to the ongoing pandemic - the restrictions introduced during the pandemic period led to a decrease in the number of cases not only of COVID-19, but also of other diseases spread by the droplet route, including mumps. The number of registered cases based on the reports of diagnosing physicians may be underestimating the actual number of cases due to the continued difficult access of patients to primary care physicians.