The ManicaPost
Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus.
The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body.
Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years globally and measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.
More than 140 000 people died from measles in 2018 – mostly children under the age of five years, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
Accelerated immunisation activities have had a major impact on reducing measles deaths.
During 2000- 2018, measles vaccination prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths.
Global measles deaths were decreased by 73 percent from an estimated 536 000 in 2000 to 142 000 in 2018 due to vaccination.
Who is at risk?
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 – including Zimbabwe.
Measles outbreaks can be particularly deadly in countries experiencing or recovering from a natural disaster or conflict.
Transmission
Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases.
It 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.
Signs and symptoms
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.
Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease.
Serious complications are more common in children under the age of five, or adults over the age of 30.
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.
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.
Treatment
No specific antiviral treatment exists for the measles virus.
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.
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. – World Health Organisation.
