The measles epidemic is one of the pressing issues that worries doctors this summer. Due to the general refusal of the population to vaccinate children, long-defeated diseases such as polio and smallpox began to return. Measles was among those.
Measles epidemic in Europe
The outbreak in Europe began last year. The first cases were recorded in Romania, and then no one began to make noise, although the report of the European Center for Disease Control was quite frightening and portended an unpleasant trend in the future.
In 2017, Romania still ranks first in terms of the number of cases, in which (according to the report) almost five thousand people became infected in two years and there are already twenty-three victims of the disease.
The measles epidemic in Europe has spread to Italy, where since January of this year 1739 proven cases of the disease have been recorded. The bulk of patients are children and adolescents who have never been vaccinated against measles. About one and a half hundred patients are medical personnel who looked after the infected. In the "virus guide" countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic and others. The disease continues to spread.
Outbreak in Russia
The measles epidemic in Russia officially began only in 2017. For the first quarter, the incidence increased three times. At the moment, forty-three cases of the disease have already been registered, half of which are children.
Most patients are located in Dagestan, second place is occupied by Moscow and the Moscow region, then the Rostov and Sverdlovsk regions, as well as North Ossetia. Here were the most massive outbreaks of morbidity. In the remaining regions, there is only one case of measles. The World Health Organization reports that all cases of infection were in unvaccinated adults and children.
Symptoms, Complications, and Routes of Transmission
The measles epidemic begins unnoticed, since the incubation period in the disease is about two weeks. This complicates the search for contact persons and putting them on dispensary observation.
10-12 days after infection, the patient’s temperature rises sharply (to febrile numbers - 38-39 degrees), a runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis begin. Parents, as a rule, believe that the child has the flu or acute respiratory infections, and no one imagines looking at the oral mucosa. It is there that the spots characteristic for measles - Belsky-Filatov-Koplik - are located - they are white and are located on the inner surface of the cheek (opposite the upper teeth) or on the palate.
After three to five days, a rash begins to appear on the skin of the child. It is small, red, located on an unchanged skin background. It begins to pour out from the face and neck, and gradually the rash moves down. On average, rashes last from five to seven days. Then pass without a trace.
Most often, complications of the disease develop in young children and adults. Among them prevail:
- inflammation of the meninges and brain matter;
- sudden blindness;
- dehydration and upset stool;
- viral pneumonia.
Measles virus is transmitted by airborne droplets or through close physical contact. The patient is contagious 4 days before the rash and 4 days after the last spots disappear.
Measles treatment
The measles epidemic has also spread so much because there is no specific treatment for this disease. Experts recommend drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding insolation and bright artificial light. Other prescriptions of doctors depend on the prevailing symptoms and complications.
Adults are recommended to take large doses of vitamin A for the prevention of the disease and its complications. For children, the best cure for the disease is vaccination! According to the vaccination calendar , immunization is carried out in two stages:
- the first dose in 12 months;
- the second dose - at 6 years.
Measles vaccination
The measles epidemic could not have happened if the parents were responsible and did not refuse vaccinations provided to children by the state. Yes, now there are many alternative opinions about the quality and benefits of immunization, but do not forget that many viral diseases were defeated solely through vaccination.
There are several contraindications to vaccination:
- the presence of allergies to serum and vaccines in the past;
- acute inflammation, which is accompanied by a rise in temperature above 38.5;
- reduced immunity, autoimmune disease, taking corticosteroids or cytostatics;
- epilepsy (applies only to the pertussis vaccine);
- pregnancy.
Before vaccination, be sure to tell the doctor about how long ago the child was sick for the last time, whether he is allergic to drugs, food or vaccines, how the previous immunization went. It is important to draw the attention of a doctor to the presence of chronic diseases in a child, such as diabetes or asthma.
Is measles epidemic in Europe? The answer, of course, is no. And this is already beginning to inspire health workers. In the near future, some significant measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease.