Epidemics in Kosovo

A number of infectious diseases that the civilized world suppressed long ago are still present in Kosovo. The best example of the population's health and level of development in any given area are birth and death figures. In 1989, Kosovo's death rate of 52.1 per 1000 and birth rate of 28 per 1000 were the highest in Europe. It ranks with the third world. The death rate has risen over the past five years due to the state of health care institutions.

There were 2855 cases of death, mainly of children, from disease in Kosovo in 1989. That same year, 261 children died in Vojvodina. A total of 1769 children died of diarrhea over the past 10 years.

The Kosovo health care institute reported 21,629 cases of infectious diseases last year, including 221 deaths. Intestinal infections stood at 5636 cases, with 112 children dead. This year alone, 1198 cases have been registered, including 25 deaths. The actual figures are higher because many doctors don't report their patients.

Kosovo had 33 epidemics last year, 15 more than the previous year. Salmonella and other infections were registered in several maternity hospitals and reflect the low levels of care and hygiene standards, especially in Pristina, Prizren, Djakovica. Salmonella poisoning accounted for 18 deaths, including 13 children.

In the first six months of this year, infectious diseases dropped slightly compared to last year. But there was an epidemic of stomach typhoid, with 98 cases reported. The number of hepatitis cases rose to 51.

The number of viral meningoencephalitis cases rose sharply in the first half of the year: 30 cases were reported, including three deaths. Other forms of the disease claimed 11 lives and infected another 32 people.

There were 372 cases of tuberculosis, including three deaths this year.

A total of 6855 cases of infectious diseases were reported in the first half of the year, including 62 deaths.

Kosovo's population is 90% ethnic Albanian and most of them don't have the necessary health care papers; most of them turn to the Mother Theresa charity and other private practices which don't report infectious diseases. Only the severest cases have to go to "Serbian hospitals". It's easy to conclude that the real number of infectious disease cases is at least five times as high as the reported figures.

Impure drinking water is used by at least 40% of Kosovo's population. Food is also frequently infected and causes problems. A special problem is sewer drainage which often leaks onto the pavement and garbage dumps all over the place