Measles is an acute infectious disease caused by the measles virus and is one of the leading causes of death in children. The disease is mainly spread through the respiratory tract or in direct contact with the nasopharyngeal secretions of the patient. Measles vaccination is an effective way to prevent disease ..

In 2018 and early 2019, measles outbreaks occurred in several countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, including some countries that announced measles elimination (Germany and Russia, United States). Especially in the first weeks of 2019, as of February 18, 2019, in the Philippines, there were over 8,000 cases of measles that required hospitalization and up to 136 measles-related deaths; Most measles cases have no history of measles vaccination.

In the opinion of the Ministry of Health of the Philippines, the sharp increase in measles epidemics in the Philippines in 2019 is due to the low rate of vaccination (including measles vaccine) in 2018 and early 2019. Date 15 / In February 2019, the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, also directly warned the public about the dangers of measles and urged parents to take their children for measles vaccination.

According to scientists, the current measles outbreak in some countries is due to the unsatisfactory rate of measles vaccination in many countries and will have great consequences for people's health as well as increased costs. Treatment versus just getting a regular measles vaccine. According to the World Health Organization, the lack of measles vaccination, conflicts and poverty are the main causes that have nearly doubled the number of measles cases globally in 2018 (compared to year 2017).

In our country, up to now, 43/63 provinces and cities have recorded cases of scattered measles, mainly in children under 10 years old, but many cases of measles have also been recorded in adults. Among measles cases, 98.7% had a history of not being vaccinated against measles or a history of measles vaccination. The cases are concentrated mainly in remote provinces and cities with low rates of measles vaccination and urban areas with a large number of mobile children, so there is a high risk of an outbreak.

To proactively prevent measles, the Ministry of Health recommends that people well implement the following contents:

1. To take initiative in bringing children aged 9 months who have not had measles vaccination or from 18 months of age who have not yet had 2 doses of measles vaccine to commune or ward health stations for measles vaccination.

2. When detecting signs of fever, cough, runny nose or rash, it is necessary to bring the child to the nearest medical facility to promptly examine and treat complications and severe developments of measles. restrict sending children to major hospitals in order to avoid measles infection from hospitals.

3. In cases of mild measles being isolated at home, children need to stay away from school and do not participate in group activities for at least 7 days from the date of the measles rash to avoid spreading to school and by others. .

4. Measles is very contagious, does not allow children to come near or contact children with suspected measles. Regularly wash hands with soap when caring for children and ensure measures to increase nutrition for children.

5. Adults who have not been vaccinated against measles need to actively receive measles vaccine (measles vaccine, MR, MMR) in health facilities to avoid getting measles.

Department of Preventive Medicine

Source:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2019/01/27/washington-declares-emergency-for-measles-outbreak-how-this-affects-you/#92fd2cf1b818 

https://www.precisionvaccinations.com/measles-virus-outbreaks-reported-cdc-paho-and-who-january-2019 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-was-gripped-by-a-fear-of-vaccines-now-theres-a-measles-crisis/2019/02/13/a28b1c8a-2f75-11e9-ac6c-14eea99d5e24_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b4859e90dce5 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/philippines-says-136-people-have-died-in-measles-outbreak-1.4301332 

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/15/measles-who-warns-cases-have-jumped-50 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/02/1032771 

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