Measles

Measles Latest News

Bangladesh launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting more ​than a million children as a fast-spreading measles ‌outbreak sweeps across the country.

About Measles

• Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus.
• Cause: It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family.

‹ ›

Transmission of Measles

• It spreads by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions (coughing or sneezing) or breathing the air that was breathed by someone with measles. 
• The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. 
• The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing severe disease, complications, and even death.

Symptoms of Measles

• The first sign of measles is usually high fever, beginning about 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and lasting four to seven days.
• A runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.
• A rash erupts after several days, usually on the face and upper neck.

Who is at Risk of Measles?

• Any non-immune person (not vaccinated or vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.
• Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at the highest risk of severe measles complications.

Measles Treatment

• No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles.
• It can be prevented with a safe and effective measles-rubella (MR) vaccine that gives long-term immunity

Source: TH