Measles outbreaks
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MEASLES SPREADS
AN outbreak of measles has spread further this week with up to 65 children now thought to have been infected.
Public health bosses have confirmed 29 cases of the disease and are looking into a further 36 suspected cases.
The highly-infectious virus has taken hold because not enough youngsters have been immunised with the Measles Mumps and Rubella vaccine (MMR) following a scare linking it with autism.
What began as the first case of measles in the borough for 12 years has turned in to Britain's biggest outbreak.
Doctors say the only way to bring it under control is for parents to make sure their children have had their MMR jab.
Of the 69 cases, 59 were reported in the Western Division.
National measles immunisation campaign dirtector Doctor Josaia Samuela said so far only one case of measles had been reported in the Northen Division.
The national campaign to immunise all children under the age of six years against measles started two weeks ago in the Western Division, where the disease was first reported.
Health clinics in the Central and Eastern divisions are estimated to have vaccinated more than 5000 children.
These include children from Suva suburbs, Valelevu, Tamavua, Lami, Raiwaqa, Samabula and Makoi.
Dr Samuela said health officials were now moving out to densely populated areas to vaccinate children from six months to six years of age.
West community health manager Dr Tharid Ali said after a week of immunising an average of 250 children per day, health officials were travelling to areas where people were unaware of the dangers posed by the contagious disease.
He said the ministry had hired extra vehicles to ensure the program reached the furthest parts of Viti Levu.
Dr Ali said aggressive advertising campaigns were being conducted to guarantee that the majority of the people were aware of its efforts.
The campaign is estimated to cost $0.6million, of which $220,000 will be paid for by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The last measles outbreak was in 2001.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=39474
There is no specific treatment for measles
Treatment for measles is Vitamin A
Washington, D.C., March 27, 2006 (PAHO)—A measles outbreak in Venezuela, the first in four years, has been reported to the Pan American Health Organization. A total of 12 laboratory confirmed cases were notified by the Ministry of Health of Venezuela, 10 in Miranda and 2 in the capital district. Four other probable cases are being investigated.
The first measles case was reported in a 33-year-old airline pilot from Miranda who traveled to Madrid in February and became ill on his return. The case was confirmed as measles in a private clinic and resulted in an outbreak among direct contacts of the patient, including five children under 14 years of age and four adults over 30 years old. Four other possible cases are still being investigated by health authorities.
Venezuelan health authorities responded immediately with control measures, increased surveillance, case investigation, and vaccination in areas where the people affected by the outbreak live and work. So far, some 67,000 vaccines have been administered. Links have been established between health authorities, PAHO/WHO, Venezuelan medical societies and private clinics to disseminate information about the outbreak and control measures.
Since the goal of measles elimination was adopted in September 1994 by the countries of the Americas, measles incidence has decreased by more than 99 percent in the Americas. Transmission of the D6 measles virus genotype—which began in 1995 and caused large outbreaks in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti—was interrupted in September 2001. The subsequent transmission of the D9 measles virus genotype in Venezuela was interrupted in November 2002, 14 months after it had started. The previous Venezuelan outbreak was viewed as the last instance of widespread endemic transmission of the measles virus in the Americas.
Dr. Jon K. Andrus, chief of PAHO's Immunization Unit, said, "As long as measles eradication is not pursued globally, imported or import-related measles cases will continue to occur in the Americas. However, the experience in several countries shows that, when high coverage with measles-containing vaccine exists, reliable detection and aggressive follow-up of suspect cases will limit the consequences of measles virus importations."
So far in 2006, confirmed measles cases had also been reported from Mexico (22 cases), the United States (3 cases), and Canada (1 case).
PAHO, which works to improve health and raise living standards in all the countries of the Americas, was successful in eradicating polio from the Western Hemisphere in 1994.
http://www.paho.org/English/DD/PIN/pr060327.htm
200 in Manjung with rubella-like symptoms
IPOH: Over 200 residents in the Manjung district here have sought treatment for rubella-like symptoms in the past few months.
Perak Health, Science and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Tan Chin Meng said the symptoms included fever and red spots on the upper and lower limbs.
“Blood samples have been taken and sent to Kuala Lum-pur for testing.
“We will get confirmation in a few days if it is rubella,” he said yesterday.
Tan said until the results were out, other illnesses and allergies could not be ruled out.
“Dengue fever also have similar symptoms,” he said.
Tan said state health officials were sent on Monday to the district to investigate the matter.
Those affected, he added, had sought treatment at the Seri Manjung Hospital, private clinics and other hospitals here.
Version en español
(rubeola, hard measles, red measles)
What is measles?
Measles is an acute, highly contagious viral disease capable of producing epidemics. Since the introduction of the measles vaccination in 1963, the number of measles cases has decreased to about 100 cases reported annually in the United States.
Who gets measles?
Although measles is usually considered a childhood disease, it can be contracted at any age. In recent years, outbreaks have mainly involved high school and college students who are unvaccinated or have received only one dose of measles vaccine.
How is measles spread?
Measles is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people or, less frequently, by airborne transmission. Measles is one of the most readily transmitted communicable diseases.
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles symptoms generally appear in two stages. In the first stage, the individual may have a runny nose, cough and a slight fever. The eyes may become reddened and sensitive to light while the fever consistently rises each day. The second stage begins on the third to seventh day and consists of a temperature of 103-105o F, and a red blotchy rash lasting four to seven days. The rash usually begins on the face and then spreads over the entire body. Koplik spots (little white spots) may also appear on the gums and inside of the cheeks.
How soon do symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear in 10-12 days, although they may occur as early as seven or as late as 18 days after exposure.
When and for how long is a person able to spread measles?
An individual is able to transmit measles from five days prior to and five days after rash onset.
Does past infection make a person immune?
Yes. Permanent immunity is acquired after contracting the disease.
What is the treatment for measles?
There is no specific treatment for measles.
What are the complications associated with measles?
Pneumonia occurs in up to 6 percent of reported cases and accounts for 60 percent of deaths attributed to measles. Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) may also occur. Other complications include middle ear infection and convulsions. Measles is more severe in infants and adults.
How can measles be prevented?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1957, who does not have a history of physician-diagnosed measles or serologic confirmation of measles immunity, should receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine for maximum protection. The first dose should be given at 12-15 months of age. The second dose should be given at four to six years of age (school entry) at the same time as the DTaP and polio booster doses. MMR vaccine is recommended for all measles vaccine doses to provide increased protection against all three vaccine-preventable diseases: measles, mumps and rubella. Measles immunization is required of all children enrolled in schools and prekindergarten programs. Since August 1, 1990, college students have also been required to demonstrate immunity against measles.
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On the chik thread DB posted today, measles is breaking out in villages and it's highly contagious. I had forgotten the basic information that I learned years ago in the 7th grade about communicable diseases. I think there's an epidemic of mumps in Iowa and now in Nebraska. It's getting interesting.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/communicable_diseases/en/measles.htm
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