Context

With a 30% increase in measles cases worldwide in 2018, the World Health Organization, in January 2019, included ‘vaccine hesitancy’ as one of the 10 threats to global health this year.

About

• Measles is a highly infectious illness caused by the rubeola virus.
• It remains an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
• If measles enters an area where the people have never been exposed, the result can be devastating.
• 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.

Facts on measles

• Measles is a highly infectious condition
• Scientists have identified 21 strains of the measles virus
• Symptoms of measles can include watery eyes, sneezing, and a dry hacking cough
• There is no specific treatment for measles. Prevention is better than cure
• Pregnant women should not take the vaccine

Symptoms

• Runny nose
• Dry hacking cough
• Conjunctivitis, or swollen eyelids and inflamed eyes
• Watery eyes
• Photophobia, or sensitivity to light
• Sneezing
• A reddish-brown rash
• Koplik's spots, or very small grayish-white spots with bluish-white centers in the mouth, insides of cheeks, and throat
• Generalized body aches

Types

There are two types of measles:

• Measles: This is the standard form caused by the rubeola virus.
• Rubella, or German measles: This is caused by the rubella virus.
• Rubella generally presents as mild but presents more of a risk to unborn infants than young children if a woman contracts the virus while she is pregnant.
• It is neither as infectious nor as severe as standard measles.
• The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine contains immunizations for both types.