Measles Outbreaks

According to W.H.O, During 2000- 2018, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths making measles vaccine one of the best buys in public health.

Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.

Measles outbreaks can be particularly deadly in countries experiencing or recovering from a natural disaster or conflict. Damage to health infrastructure and health services interrupts routine immunization, and overcrowding in residential camps greatly increases the risk of infection.

The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.

Measles is caused by infection with the rubeola virus. The virus lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected child or adult. The disease is contagious for 4 days before the rash appears, and it continues to be contagious for about 4 to 5 days after.

It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots. The spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body.

Although it's often associated with childhood illness, adults can get measles too. People who aren't vaccinated are at a higher risk of catching the disease. It's generally accepted that adults born during or before 1957 are naturally immune to measles.

Measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms.

There's no specific treatment for measles, but the condition usually improves within 7 to 10 days. A GP will probably suggest taking things easy at home until you're feeling better.

Stay away from work or school for at least 4 days from when the measles rash first appears to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

You should also try to avoid contact with people who are more vulnerable to the infection, such as young children and pregnant women.

Measles can be prevented by vaccination with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. High uptake is vital in the control of measles, and for the prevention of outbreaks; to obtain herd immunity the WHO recommends 95% of the eligible population be vaccinated (WHO, 2017)

 Getting Vaccinated is the best way to prevent measles. Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles infection. There are two vaccines available — the MMR vaccine and the MMRV vaccine. The MMR vaccine is a three-in-one vaccination that can protect you from measles, mumps, and rubella.