Twenty-three labor migrants, including two Tajik nationals, have been hospitalized in Moscow on suspicion of contracting measles.

Ibrohim Ahmadov, a spokesman for the office of the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of Population of Tajikistan in Moscow, told Asia-Plus by phone that twenty-three labor migrants, including two Tajik nationals, were taken to Moscow’s Clinical Hospital No 2 on February 4 on suspicion of contracting measles.

“All of them have worked for Ant-Apy Limited Liability Company (LLC).  Our employees got in touch with the hospitalized Tajik nationals by phone and they said they are receiving all necessary medical aid and feel themselves good,” Ahmadov said.  .

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus.  Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days.

There is a vaccine to protect against measles. The vaccine is given as part of a combination vaccine, called the MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.  The risk of death from measles is higher for adults and infants than for children.