The Health authorities have warned folks within the district in opposition to an rising incidence of measles in kids, particularly in unvaccinated kids. As many as 82 measles instances have been reported within the district up to now two weeks. “People have to be really vigilant, especially as this is a highly contagious and potentially dangerous disease,” mentioned District Medical Officer R. Renuka.
Most of the instances have been reported in kids who had not taken measles vaccine. Out of the 28 instances reported in a single explicit space of Tirur, as many as 26 have been unimmunised. “This is something appalling. We need to push hard once again to convince parents about the importance of immunisation,” mentioned Dr. Renuka.
The State well being regime is providing measles vaccine to kids in two levels. The first dose of vaccine is given when a baby is in its ninth month, and the second dose (MR vaccine) when the kid is eighteen months outdated. Large sections of oldsters within the district are learnt to have ignored the measles vaccine for his or her kids below the belief that measles isn’t a harmful illness.
“This attitude is worrying. Data shows that measles has a fatality rate of three in 1,000 cases. Recently five children died of measles in Maharashtra. We should be serious. Measles can lead to such life threatening diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis,” mentioned Dr. Renuka.
Although measles was reported in some vaccinated kids too within the district, the well being authorities confirmed that every one these instances have been delicate. Dr. Renuka mentioned that efforts have been being made to arrest the unfold of the illness, particularly in Kalpakanchery and neighbouring locations. “Allowing our children to die of a disease that can be prevented with vaccines is shame on a modern civilized society,” Dr. Renuka mentioned.
Measles is a extremely contagious illness attributable to a virus within the paramyxovirus household. It is handed by direct contact and thru the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, after which spreads by the physique. Children aged between six months and three years are extra weak to this illness.
The first signal of measles, mentioned Dr. Renuka, is excessive fever, which begins about 10 days after publicity to the virus. The fever lasts 4 to seven days. A runny nostril, cough, pink and watery eyes, and small white spots contained in the cheeks can develop within the preliminary stage. After a number of days, a rash erupts often on the face and higher neck. In three days, the rash spreads, ultimately reaching the palms and toes. The rash lasts for 5 to 6 days, after which fades.
Source: www.thehindu.com