Published: 24th Sep, 2019
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.
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.
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