Measles cases have been reported in 17 countries in the WHO European Region since the beginning of 2023.
Over the past 12 months, Russia, Tajikistan and Turkey reported the most cases, while Austria, Serbia, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Poland, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Estonia, Sweden, Belgium and Serbia have since battled the virus. Early 2023. “All countries, including those with established measles elimination, must be vigilant about the possibility of this severe disease entering infection and its spread.
Measles is a highly contagious and dangerous disease that, since the advent of the vaccine in 1963, appears as a major epidemic in the world approximately every 2-3 years, and
It kills about 2.6 million people each year.
Measles is caused by a microbe belonging to the paramyxovirus family, and it spreads very quickly through direct contact and droplet infection: the virus first infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Most deaths – usually among children under the age of five and adults over the age of 30 – are due to complications related to the disease.
Its first signs include a high fever lasting 4 to 7 days, runny nose, cough, watery eyes, and small white spots on the face and then on the extremities. The most serious complications include blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea with accompanying dehydration, ear infections, and pneumonia. Complications are most likely to occur in young children, adults, and people with HIV who are not vaccinated. After the infection has passed, lifelong immunity to the pathogen develops.
In order to prevent disease, vaccination is mandatory in our country. Children receive the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for the first time at 15 months of age, and the booster vaccination in the sixth grade of primary school.
They warn of scarlet fever in the house
The National Center for Public Health currently warns of scarlet fever periodically, and based on recorded data, more than 800 people were infected in April. Symptoms of scarlet fever, which is spread by droplet infection and direct contact and primarily affect children, usually appear 2-5 days after infection, but the incubation period can last up to 5-7 days. Its initial symptoms include a high fever and sore throat, as well as a red rash all over the body, reminiscent of chickenpox (in milder cases, a rash may be the only symptom).
Fortunately, it can be easily and effectively treated with antibiotics, so it is a good idea to see your family doctor immediately at the first symptoms.
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