Why is measles such a serious disease?
Measles is a very contagious disease and can lead to death. It is not necessary to pass it 'in the old way' as some say: we have an effective and safe vaccine to prevent it.
One of the most well-known manifestations of measles is the appearance of a skin rash. I wish it were the only consequence of this disease that, during the first six months of 2018, has already infected more than 41,000 children and adults throughout Europe.
Although there is a safe and effective vaccine to prevent it, measles is still one of the main causes of infant mortality. It is a highly contagious disease that can leave very serious consequences in both children and adults. The complications derived from measles are more frequent in children under 5 and in adults over 30.
Among other consequences, measles can cause encephalitis, blindness, severe diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In addition, according to the health portal of Castilla y León, the measles virus has been linked to other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Finally, measles can cause death in any age group.
A very contagious virus
The measles virus is highly contagious, and this is one of the reasons why an epidemic can occur with relative ease. A cough or a sneeze is enough to spread it, and in addition the virus can be transmitted by an infected individual from four days before up to four days after the onset of rash or rash.
To make matters worse, today there is no specific antiviral treatment available that acts against the measles virus, and that is why the best way to deal with it is mass vaccination. In Spain, the vaccine against measles is the so-called Triple Vírica, which also includes rubella and mumps. It is covered by the Social Security and is supplied in two doses that are necessary to guarantee a correct immunization.
Because of the ease with which the measles virus spreads, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that at least 95% of immunization coverage is necessary to prevent outbreaks.
Record measles outbreak in Europe
Before the outbreak of measles that is living in Europe in 2018, WHO has issued a statement calling on all countries to take measures to stop its spread. "After reaching the lowest number of cases in the decade in 2016, we are seeing a dramatic increase in infections and outbreaks," says Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO regional director.
In some European countries immunization coverage is very low. "This partial regression shows that each person who is not immune is still vulnerable no matter where they live and each country must continue to press for increased coverage," said Nedret Emiroglu, director of the Division of Health Emergencies and Communicable Diseases of the Regional Office of WHO for Europe. The country most affected so far is Ukraine, which accounts for more than half of all measles cases in Europe.
