Measles
outbreak can be due to corona virus: WHO
In the
late 2019, before the outbreak of COVID19, WHO announced that measles deaths had
been dropped by 73 percent.
However,
when the pandemic started, the WHO warned that measles deaths can rise in April
2020. The reason for measles outbreak was stated that the vaccination programmes
were being delayed.
As
per the UNICEF data, 117 million children in 37 countries may not get immunisation.
However, previously, in 2018 even though the safe and cost effective
vaccination was available, yet there were more than 140000 deaths due to
measles, mostly under the age of five.
Of the estimated 19.2 million infants not vaccinated with at
least one dose of measles vaccine through routine immunization in 2018, about
6.1 million were in 3 countries: India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
Which is going to be the worst amid Coronavirus.
With
39,299 cases India bagged the fourth spot after Madagascar (150,976), Ukraine
(84,394) and Philippines (45,847). However, India had the lowest measles
incidence rate per million in the top 10 countries — 29.68 in 2019 before
Coronavirus.
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Children under the age of one get infected by the
virus the most in India as they have the highest incidence rate of 76.4 per
million population, according to WHO. Moreover, this is the same age bracket
that has received the highest number of zero doses of measles vaccination
between July 2018 and June 2019.
The coronavirus spread is going to turn the
scenario in the worst.
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In
April 2020, United Kingdom also lost its status as a measles free country.
Why measles
vaccination is important?
Measles
is highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly. It is also known as
Rubella/Morbilli.
During
2000- 2018, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths.
Before the introduction of measles
vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred
approximately every 2–3 years and measles caused an estimated 2.6 million
deaths each year.
A susceptible person that
is exposed to the measles virus has a 90% chance of becoming infected.
Additionally, and an infected person can go to spread the virus to anywhere
between 9 and 18 susceptible individuals.
The main risk factor for catching measles is
being unvaccinated. Additionally, some groups are at a higher risk of
developing complications from measles infection, including young children,
people with a weakened immune system, and pregnant women.
Unvaccinated
young children are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including
death. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Any non-immune person (who
has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can
become infected.
Measles is still common in many developing
countries – particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. The overwhelming majority
(more than 95%) of measles deaths occur in countries with low per capita
incomes and weak health infrastructures.
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.
Corona Virus has already hit badly the world, and all these scenario are going to be darker amid coronavirus crisis.
Measles
happens in adults too
Measles is not the children's disease, it can happen among adults too.
According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serious complications
are not only more common in young children, but also in adults over the age of
20. These complications can include things like pneumonia, encephalitis, and
blindness.
Although it’s often associated with childhood
illness, adults can get measles too.
The
Treatment of Measles
All children diagnosed with measles should
receive two doses of vitamin A supplements, given 24 hours apart. This
treatment restores low vitamin A levels during measles that occur even in
well-nourished children and can help prevent eye damage and blindness. Vitamin
A supplements have also been shown to reduce the number of measles deaths.
Severe complications from measles can be reduced through supportive care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake and treatment of dehydration with WHO-recommended oral rehydration solution. This solution replaces fluids and other essential elements that are lost through diarrhoea or vomiting. Antibiotics should be prescribed to treat eye and ear infections, and pneumonia.
Getting vaccinated is
the best way to prevent measles. Two doses of the measles vaccine are 97
percent Trusted Source 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.
The MMRV vaccine protects against the same infections as the MMR vaccine and
also includes protection against chickenpox.
Children can receive their first vaccination at
12 months, or sooner if traveling internationally, and their second dose
between the ages of 4 and 6. Adults who have never received an immunization can
request the vaccine from their doctor.
Vaccination isn’t just important for protecting
you and your family. It’s also important for protecting people who can’t be
vaccinated. When more people are vaccinated against a disease, it’s less likely
to circulate within the population. This is called herd immunity.
How
to prevent Measles until the Vaccination is available
Not
everyone can receive measles vaccination. But there are other ways that you can
help to prevent the spread of measles.
Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands before
eating, after using the bathroom, and before touching your face, mouth, or
nose.
Don’t share personal items with people who may be
ill. This can include things like eating utensils, drinking glasses, and
toothbrushes. Avoid coming into contact with people who are sick.
WHO’s
Role and Recommendation in Preventing Measles
In
2010, the World Health Assembly established 3 milestones towards the future
eradication of measles to be achieved by 2015: increase
routine coverage with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) by
more than 90% nationally and more than 80% in every district; reduce and
maintain annual measles incidence to less than 5 cases per million; and reduce estimated measles mortality by
more than 95% from the 2000 estimate.
In 2012, the Health Assembly endorsed the Global
Vaccine Action Plan, with the objective of eliminating measles in four WHO
regions by 2015 and in five regions by 2020.
By 2018, the global push to improve vaccine
coverage resulted in a 73% reduction in deaths. During 2000– 2018, with
support from the Measles & Rubella Initiative and Gavi, the Vaccine
Alliance, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 23.2 million
deaths; most of the deaths averted were in the African region and in countries
supported by the Gavi Alliance.
But without sustained attention, hard-fought
gains can easily be lost. Where children are unvaccinated, outbreaks occur.
Because of low coverage nationally or in pockets, multiple regions were hit
with large measles outbreaks in 2018, causing many deaths. Based on current
trends of measles vaccination coverage and incidence, the WHO Strategic
Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) concluded that measles
elimination is greatly under threat, and the disease has resurged in a number
of countries that had achieved or were close to achieving, elimination.
WHO continues to strengthen the global laboratory
network to ensure timely diagnosis of measles and track the international
spread of the measles viruses to allow a more coordinated country approach in
targeting vaccination activities and reduce measles deaths from this
vaccine-preventable disease.
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