"Sri Lanka's success comes at a time when global measles cases are increasing. The country's success demonstrates the commitment and determination of parents' policy choices to protect children from measles," said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Southeast Asia Regional Director, congratulating the nation.
The last recorded case of measles in the country was in May 2016. Only sporadic cases have occurred in the past three years, all imported.
The milestone was made possible by achieving maximum vaccination coverage (95 percent), with 2 doses of measles and rubella vaccine provided by the National Program.
This is excellent and reassuring news for the sake of public health.
In Italy, on the other hand, as many as 1096 cases of measles were recorded from January 1 to May 31, 2019, 32% of which presented at least one complication.
http://www.searo.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2019/1712/en/
THE MORBLE
Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease due to the morbillivirus, of the Paramyxovidae family. It is transmitted by droplets of saliva present in the secretions of the nose and throat.
It is commonly referred to as an infant disease, as it is generally contracted between the first and third year of life. Once contracted, measles confers theoretically definitive immunity.
Classic symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis and pharyngitis, followed by a rash that spreads from behind the ears throughout the body. Measles can cause complications, including serious ones, especially in children under five and people over 20 years old.
Complications are mainly due to bacterial superinfections, such as otitis, laryngitis, pneumonia or encephalitis; the disease causes between 30 and 100 deaths per 100,000 people affected.
IS THERE A VACCINE AVAILABLE?
Yes.
The vaccine is available in trivalent form for immunization against measles, rubella, and mumps (MPR) or in tetravalent form for immunization against measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella (MPRV). The vaccine consists of live attenuated, i.e., harmless, viruses that stimulate the body's defenses without causing disease.
In 1999, MPR vaccination was included in the national calendar, with indications that the first dose should be administered to children 12 months of age and older, who should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
Adolescents and adults who have no evidence of immunity against measles should also get two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days.
