Measles (Khasra) is a highly contagious viral disease which affects mostly children. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability among young children.Measles Immunization Day is celebrated on 16th March every year to make people aware about the disease and how they can prevent it with vaccination. There is no specific treatment for measles but there is a vaccine to protect from the disease, which is both safe as well as cost effective. Young children, who don’t receive measles immunization, are at highest risk of measles and its complications, including death.
Facts:
Measles kills more than 380 people every day, mostly children and infected over 9 million people in 2018 according to a report by “The Measles & Rubella Initiative” in 2020.
One person infected with measles can infect about 12-18 other persons.
Measles vaccination resulted in a 73% drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2018 worldwide.
Spreads due to:
Coughing and sneezing
Close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions
Symptoms:
High fever after 10-12 days of virus exposure
Cold, redness of the eyes and rash
In severe cases:
Blindness
Encephalitis
Severe diarrhea
Pneumonia
Severity of the measles increases in cases of poor nourishment, Vitamin A deficiency and HIV/ AIDS.
WHO recommends immunization for all children with 2 doses of measles vaccine, either alone, or in a measles-rubella (MR) or measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination. In India, measles vaccination is given under Universal ImmunisationProgrammeas Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine at 9-12 months of age and 2nd dose at 16-24 months of age.
Measles & Rubella Strategic Framework (MRSF) 2021-2030- The framework is developed by ‘The Measles and Rubella Initiatives to achieve and sustain the regional measles and rubella elimination goals by strengthening the routine delivery of all vaccines, and quickly and effectively detecting and responding to measles outbreaks.
IIMSR advises all concerned to get themselves vaccinated for the same.