8th February, 2014
EROMOSELE EBHOMELE
Measles, a viral infection, is still one of the leading causes of death among children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, as well as the World Health Organisation, WHO, have disclosed.
UNICEF, in a release first published on its website, said the disease continues to be a global threat with some regions, majorly the developing countries, experiencing large outbreaks, thus jeopardising the elimination progress of the disease in these regions.
Apart from this, movements from one country to the other by those affected have also helped with its spread.
Despite this however, the agency, latching on a study it carried out between 2000 and 2012, noted a positive drop in rate of the spread of the disease saying this demonstrates the importance of investing in vaccines and immunisation.
Estimated global measles deaths decreased by 78 per cent from more than 562,000 in 2000 to 122,000 in 2012, the report said adding that during this time period, it is also estimated that 13.8 million deaths were prevented by measles vaccination.
“In 2012, 145 million children were vaccinated in mass campaigns against measles; and more than one billion have been reached since 2000 with the support of the Measles and Rubella Initiative, launched in 2001 by UNICEF, American Red Cross, the United Nations Foundation, U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“The Region of the Americas achieved measles elimination with the last endemic case reported in 2002 and continues to maintain this status though it is still responding to many importations of measles cases, the report stated.
Supporting the report, WHO said in 2012, there were 122 000 measles deaths globally, standing at about 330 deaths every day or 14 deaths every hour.
“In 2012, about 84 per cent of the world’s children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 72 per cent in 2000.
“Since 2000, more than 1 billion children in high risk countries were vaccinated against the disease through mass vaccination campaigns – about 145 million of them in 2012,” the report from WHO said of measles, a highly contagious, serious disease.
In 1980, while the world battled for vaccination, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year.
Its signs and symptoms usually begin with a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts four to seven days.
Others are runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks.
After several days, a rash erupts, usually on the face and upper neck. Over about three days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet. The rash lasts for five to six days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus.
“Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases.
“Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease. Complications are more common in children under the age of five, or adults over the age of 20.
“The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and related dehydration, ear infections, or severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
“Women infected while pregnant are also at risk of severe complications and the pregnancy may end in miscarriage or preterm delivery. People who recover from measles are immune for the rest of their lives,” WHO said.
Highly contagious, measles is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
The WHO has often advised that children in developing countries diagnosed with measles should receive two doses of vitamin A supplements, given 24 hours apart because vitamin A supplements have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from measles by 50 per cent.