Bulgaria Expands Vaccination Push After 225 Measles Cases Reported

Jerusalem, 5 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) A total of 225 cases of measles have been reported in Bulgaria, the Ministry of Health annaounced on Tuesday. The data presented is as of May 4, 2026. The data shows that measles cases are in seven regions, with the highest number of registered cases in the region of Vratsa – 150. Patients have also been registered in the regions of Pleven – 48, Lovech – 18, Sofia-city – four, Varna – three, Montana – one, Sofia-region – one.

Of all registered measles cases, 189 are among children, with 20 children under one year old, 61 children from one to four years old, 62 children from five to nine years old, 33 children from 10 to 14 years old, and 15 from 15 to 19 years old. Seven measles cases were reported in the 20-24 age group, three in the 25-29 age group, five in the 30-34 age group, and three in the 35-39 age group. There are 16 patients over 40 years old.

The data also shows that 118 of the patients were not vaccinated due to under-age for immunization or other reasons. For 19 of the infected, the immunization status is unknown.

Since the beginning of the spread of the disease in the country in March, 28,194 vaccines against measles, mumps and rubella have been administered.

The first cases of measles for 2026 were reported by the Ministry of Health on March 19. At that time, emergency immunization against measles was ordered for all children with missed vaccines.

The main symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, cough, tearing, eye inflammation, rash. Vaccination is mandatory and is carried out at the age of 13 months, and then at the age of 12.