Measles outbreak-DOH
Philippines, A total of 570 cases of measles have been recorded from January to February 5 this year, according to the DOH, with children aged one to nine as its common victims.
This is why the Department of Health (DOH) has declared a measles outbreak in six areas across the country. According to DOH, these areas are: Baseco Compound and Moriones in Tondo, Manila; Barangay Pulang Lupa in Las Piñas City; Balabagan town in Lanao del Sur; Central Market in Dasmariñas, Cavite; and San Francisco town in Quezon.
Measles are to be expected during summer season. The symptoms include fever, general weakness and occasionally red eyes. She said these usually come before the characteristic skin rash confirming the onset of measles. Extra care is required because the disease is highly contagious as it is airborne.
DOH are encouraging parents to have infants undergo vaccination as early as nine months after birth.
What is Measles?
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose.
Key facts
(taken from WHO)
- Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available.
- In 2008, there were 164 000 measles deaths globally – nearly 450 deaths every day or 18 deaths every hour.
- More than 95% of measles deaths occur in low-income countries with weak health infrastructures.
- Measles vaccination resulted in a 78% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2008 worldwide.
- In 2008, about 83% of the world’s children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 72% in 2000.
Signs and symptoms of measles
The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts four to seven days. A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage. After several days, a rash erupts, usually on the face and upper neck. Over about three days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet. The rash lasts for five to six days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus (within a range of seven to 18 days).
Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases.
Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease. Complications are more common in children under the age of five, or adults over the age of 20. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia. As high as 10% of measles cases result in death among populations with high levels of malnutrition and a lack of adequate health care.
People who recover from measles are immune for the rest of their lives.
Transmission
The highly contagious virus is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. It can be transmitted by an infected person from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash erupts.
Measles outbreaks can result in epidemics that cause many deaths, especially among young, malnourished children.
In countries where measles has been largely eliminated, cases imported from other countries remain an important source of infection.
Refer to WHO official website for more information on measles: click here
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