According to the Romanian Ministry of Health, a third measles casualty was recorded this week, following an unusually high number of measles cases registered in the country over the last 8 months.

"In the first eight months in Romania were recorded 675 confirmed cases of measles in 23 counties. Two children have died. A third death suspect of measles was recorded in last few days, but a final confirmation is awaited. As compared to 2015, the increase is more than alarming. Last year there were only 7 confirmed cases and no deaths from measles," a translated Ministry news release reads. According to authorities, the measles outbreak is the result of "irresponsible campaigns against [the] vaccination of children." These campaigns have attracted the support of many Romanians, as many insist the measles vaccine causes autism in young people.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/art_living/20160923/1045609283/romania-measles-outbreak-children-dead.html

source:sputniknews.com

Measles are a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus, and can give serious complications from pneumonia, myocarditis and pericarditis, to meningitis, encephalitis and blindness, severe deficiency of vitamin A.

Babies and young children have a high risk of death due to severe pulmonary complications .

Vaccination remains the best method of prevention of this disease.

source:deweydigest.com

Events and pathways of disease transmission

Measles causes a high fever , up to 40.5 degrees Celsius, a violent rash over the whole body. It is transmitted by air, saliva, coughing or sneezing.

Once contracted the virus, the chance to make measles is over 95%. Individuals already infected are contagious four days before the rash typical skin and another 4 days later. The incubation period of the virus varies between 7 and 18 days.

Symptoms and disease stages

Illness starts suddenly with a high fever over 39 degrees Celsius. Other initial symptoms include:

- Anorexia (lack of appetite); 

- Malaise; 

- Headache ; 

- Accompanied by sneezing runny; 

- Sore throat, hoarse voice, swollen glands ; 

- Lacrimation, eye redness, photophobia and swollen eyelids; 

- Cough or productive.

After more than two days after the first symptoms, fever worsens and primary appears rash , called the sign Koplik. This is manifested in the mouth, in the form of small red spots with a gray center.

18 hours after the first eruption, the typical measles rash appears, first behind the ears and on the face, then spread to the entire body.

source:pediatric-house-calls.djmed.net

Treatment

Mild measles treated symptomatically. Fever and pain can be lowered with paracetamol and ibuprofen. Do not give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye's syndrome , manifested by brain disorders and liver problems.

Rest , sparing the eyes and increased fluid intake are also very important. Children should be kept home for at least a week after the rash appears to prevent the spread of disease.

Severe complications

Among the serious complications of measles include meningitis and encephalitis (brain inflammation), which begins with high fever, convulsions and coma. These cases are rare, it is true, the incidence is 1 in 1,000 illnesses. But the consequences can be fatal.

Of all children who end up doing encephalitis or meningitis due to measles, 15% die and another 15% to 40% suffer permanent nerve damage.

Pneumonia commonly occurs in children suffering from rubella and requires treatment with antibiotics. Another major risk is the drastic decrease in the level of vitamin A, which can lead to eye damage and blindness. Studies have shown that A units for the duration of the disease VitaMan reduce the risk of mortality by up to 50%.

Mortality associated measles is higher for babies and young children, especially if they have never been immunized against measles virus .

source:ichef-1.bbci.co.uk

Methods to prevent

All children should be vaccinated against the virus before the age of 1 year. A dose of measles vaccine potejeaza your child against measles by 90%. Repeating with the entry of the vaccine at school increases the effectiveness of immunization to nearly 100%.

Pregnant women who have already had measles in the past will send antibodies fetus through the placenta.