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4 clusters · 14 sources · 35 days · First seen · Last updated

Infectious disease outbreaks in Kosovo

Overview

Kosovo has experienced a rise in infectious disease cases among young children, specifically involving whooping cough and measles.

In late July 2026, the National Institute of Public Health confirmed 78 cases of whooping cough. The outbreak affected preschool institutions and resulted in the hospitalization of seventeen children, many aged one to two years. The Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children (KOMF) urged the enforcement of mandatory vaccination proof for preschool enrollment.

By late August 2026, the measles outbreak continued to expand. The National Institute of Public Health (IKSHPK) reported 147 confirmed cases between April 16 and August 24, 2026, a figure that represents more than double the total cases recorded during all of 2025. The highest concentration of infections is in Prishtina with 49 cases, followed by Fushë-Kosova with 35, Ferizaj with 13, and Obiliq with 9. As of August 30, 2026, the number of confirmed measles cases has risen to 151, including four new cases reported in the final week of August. Data indicates that over 95% of these cases occurred in individuals who had not received the MMR vaccine.

In early September 2026, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski warned of rising risks as measles vaccination rates among students have fallen to 62%, significantly below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. Klekovski noted that while information campaigns are underway, there is “strong resistance to vaccination in certain urban areas,” with a concerning trend where more developed areas with higher education levels show lower vaccination rates compared to less developed regions.

Entities

Kosovo · National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo · Sasho Klekovski · Fushë-Kosova · Coalition of NGOs for the Protection of Children (KOMF)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 8 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources
    Measles vaccination rates fall to 62% among students

    Health Minister Sasho Klekovski warns of measles risks as student vaccination rates sit at 62%, well below the 95% target, amid rising cases in Kosovo and Bulgaria.

  2. 11 days ago

    [HEALTH] 5 sources
    Kosovo and North Macedonia face measles risks amid low vaccination rates

    Health officials in Kosovo and North Macedonia warn of measles risks as vaccination rates fall below the 95% target, with Kosovo reporting 151 cases and North Macedonia seeing low MMR coverage at 62%.

  3. 27 days ago

    [HEALTH] 8 sources
    Kosovo reports measles outbreak with 137 confirmed cases

    Kosovo reports 137 confirmed measles cases, primarily among unvaccinated children, prompting urgent calls from health officials for increased MMR vaccination.

  4. about 1 month ago

    [HEALTH] 7 sources
    Kosovo sees rise in whooping cough cases affecting preschool children

    Kosovo reports 78 confirmed whooping cough cases, 17 hospitalised children, including two on oxygen, as the disease spreads to two preschools; NGOs demand strict vaccination proof enforcement.

Sources

24-ore.com · alsat.mk · arbresh.info · dukagjini.com · ekonomiaonline.com · koha.mk · kosovapost.net · lajmpress.org · lokalno.mk · meta.mk · telegrafi.com · tv21.tv · veriu.info · zhurnal.mk

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history