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Measles
- Thread starter Thornton
- Start date
Re: Measles
Measles deaths fall by 60 percent worldwide*
http://212.234.146.164/ew/2007/070125.asp
Editorial team (eurosurveillance.weekly@hpa.org.uk), Eurosurveillance editorial office
Deaths as a result of measles fell by 60 percent worldwide between 1999 and 2005, it was announced this week by the Measles Initiative ? a partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Red Cross and other organisations [1]. This figure surpasses the target set by the UN in 2002 to reduce deaths due to measles by half in this period. According to recently published data, the number of measles deaths worldwide fell from an estimated 873 000 (uncertainty bounds 634 000 to 1 140?000) in 1999 to 345 000 (247 000 to 458 000) in 2005 [2].
The Measles Initiative, launched in 2001, is focusing on four key strategies: providing one dose of measles vaccine to all infants via routine health services; a second opportunity for measles immunisation for all children, generally through mass vaccination campaigns; effective surveillance for measles; and enhanced care, including the provision of supplemental vitamin A. As a result of these measures, measles immunisation coverage with the first routine dose increased from 71 to 77% globally between 1999 and 2005, and over 360 million children aged between nine months and 15 years received measles vaccines through immunisation campaigns. The largest percentage reduction in estimated measles mortality between 1999 and 2005 was in the western Pacific region (81%), followed by Africa (75%) and the eastern Mediterranean region (62%). Africa achieved the largest total reduction; 72% of the global reduction in measles mortality. Nearly 7.5 million deaths from measles were prevented through immunisation in this period, with the Measles Initiative?s activities and improved routine immunisation accounting for 2.3 million of these prevented deaths....
?.The Measles Initiative will now target India, Indonesia, Pakistan and other large countries who have yet to increase routine coverage and address susceptible adults through mass vaccination campaigns more aggressively, in the hope of making further progress in the worldwide target of mortality reduction. ?
-jt-
Measles deaths fall by 60 percent worldwide*
http://212.234.146.164/ew/2007/070125.asp
Editorial team (eurosurveillance.weekly@hpa.org.uk), Eurosurveillance editorial office
Deaths as a result of measles fell by 60 percent worldwide between 1999 and 2005, it was announced this week by the Measles Initiative ? a partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Red Cross and other organisations [1]. This figure surpasses the target set by the UN in 2002 to reduce deaths due to measles by half in this period. According to recently published data, the number of measles deaths worldwide fell from an estimated 873 000 (uncertainty bounds 634 000 to 1 140?000) in 1999 to 345 000 (247 000 to 458 000) in 2005 [2].
The Measles Initiative, launched in 2001, is focusing on four key strategies: providing one dose of measles vaccine to all infants via routine health services; a second opportunity for measles immunisation for all children, generally through mass vaccination campaigns; effective surveillance for measles; and enhanced care, including the provision of supplemental vitamin A. As a result of these measures, measles immunisation coverage with the first routine dose increased from 71 to 77% globally between 1999 and 2005, and over 360 million children aged between nine months and 15 years received measles vaccines through immunisation campaigns. The largest percentage reduction in estimated measles mortality between 1999 and 2005 was in the western Pacific region (81%), followed by Africa (75%) and the eastern Mediterranean region (62%). Africa achieved the largest total reduction; 72% of the global reduction in measles mortality. Nearly 7.5 million deaths from measles were prevented through immunisation in this period, with the Measles Initiative?s activities and improved routine immunisation accounting for 2.3 million of these prevented deaths....
?.The Measles Initiative will now target India, Indonesia, Pakistan and other large countries who have yet to increase routine coverage and address susceptible adults through mass vaccination campaigns more aggressively, in the hope of making further progress in the worldwide target of mortality reduction. ?
-jt-
Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Re: Measles
KidsHealth > Parents > Infections > Lung & Respiratory Infections > Measles
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious - but rare - respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose.
Since measles is caused by a virus, symptoms typically go away on their own without medical treatment once the virus has run its course.
But while your child is sick, it's important to make sure that he or she has plenty of fluids and rest, and to keep your child from spreading the infection to others. If you have any concerns about your child's condition, talk to your child's doctor.
Signs and Symptoms
While measles is probably best known for the full-body rash that it causes, the first symptoms of the infection are usually a hacking cough, runny nose, high fever, and watery red eyes. Another marker of measles are Koplik's spots, small red spots with blue-white centers that appear inside the mouth.
The measles rash typically has a red or reddish brown blotchy appearance, and first usually shows up on the forehead, then spreads downward over the face, neck, and body, then down to the feet.
Measles is highly contagious. When someone with measles sneezes or coughs, he or she can spread virus droplets through the air and infect others.
Measles is very rare in the United States. Due to widespread immunizations, the number of U.S. measles cases has steadily declined in the last 50 years. There were thousands of cases of the measles in 1950, but in 2002 there were just 44. Most of the time, the cases occur in settings where there are lots of kids, some of whom haven't gotten vaccinated or whose immunity has diminished since they got the vaccine.
The most important thing you can do to protect your child from measles is to have him or her vaccinated according to the schedule prescribed by your child's doctor.
Prevention
Infants are generally protected from measles for 6 to 8 months after birth due to immunity passed on from their mothers. Older kids are usually immunized against measles according to state and school health regulations.
For most kids, the measles vaccine is part of the measles-mumps-rubella immunizations (MMR) given at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age. Measles vaccine is not usually given to infants younger than 12 months old. But if there's a measles outbreak, the vaccine may be given when a child is 9 months old, followed by the usual MMR immunization at 12-15 months.
As is the case with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Your child's doctor should have the most current information regarding recommendations about the measles immunization. Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant women, or to kids with active tuberculosis, leukemia, lymphoma, or people whose immune systems are suppressed for some reason.
Also, the vaccine shouldn't be given to kids who have a history of severe allergic reaction to gelatin or to the antibiotic neomycin, as they are at risk for serious reactions to the vaccine. These kids can be protected from measles infection with an injection of antibodies called gamma globulin if it's given within 6 days of exposure - these antibodies can either prevent measles or make the symptoms less severe.
Measles vaccine occasionally causes side effects in kids who don't have any underlying health problems. In about 10% of cases the measles vaccine causes a fever between 5 and 12 days after vaccination, and in about 5% of cases the vaccine causes a rash, which isn't contagious and usually fades on its own.
Treatment
The symptoms of measles usually lasts for about 2 weeks. It is highly contagious, and 90% of people who haven't been vaccinated for measles will get it if they live in the same household as an infected person.
If your child has been diagnosed with measles, it's important to closely monitor him or her for fever and other symptoms to spot any complications.
In some cases, measles can lead to other health problems, such as croup, and infections like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), myocarditis, and encephalitis.
Measles also can make the body more susceptible to ear infections or other health problems caused by bacteria.
If fever is making your child more uncomfortable, you may want to give a non-aspirin fever medication such as acetaminophen.
Remember, you should never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness since the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome.
As with any viral infection, encourage your child to drink clear fluids: water, fruit juice, tea, and lemonade. These will help replace bodily fluids your child loses in the heat and sweating of fever episodes.
Use a cool-mist vaporizer to relieve cough and to soothe breathing passages. Clean the vaporizer each day to prevent mold from growing. Avoid hot-water or steam vaporizers that can cause accidental burns and scalds in children.
Children with measles should get extra rest to help them recover.
It's usually safe for your child to return to school 7 to 10 days after the fever and rash go away. But to be sure, check with your child's doctor.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Call your child's doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has measles. Also, it's important to get medical care if your child:
Reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: October 2005
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
KidsHealth > Parents > Infections > Lung & Respiratory Infections > Measles
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious - but rare - respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose.
Since measles is caused by a virus, symptoms typically go away on their own without medical treatment once the virus has run its course.
But while your child is sick, it's important to make sure that he or she has plenty of fluids and rest, and to keep your child from spreading the infection to others. If you have any concerns about your child's condition, talk to your child's doctor.
Signs and Symptoms
While measles is probably best known for the full-body rash that it causes, the first symptoms of the infection are usually a hacking cough, runny nose, high fever, and watery red eyes. Another marker of measles are Koplik's spots, small red spots with blue-white centers that appear inside the mouth.
The measles rash typically has a red or reddish brown blotchy appearance, and first usually shows up on the forehead, then spreads downward over the face, neck, and body, then down to the feet.
Measles is highly contagious. When someone with measles sneezes or coughs, he or she can spread virus droplets through the air and infect others.
Measles is very rare in the United States. Due to widespread immunizations, the number of U.S. measles cases has steadily declined in the last 50 years. There were thousands of cases of the measles in 1950, but in 2002 there were just 44. Most of the time, the cases occur in settings where there are lots of kids, some of whom haven't gotten vaccinated or whose immunity has diminished since they got the vaccine.
The most important thing you can do to protect your child from measles is to have him or her vaccinated according to the schedule prescribed by your child's doctor.
Prevention
Infants are generally protected from measles for 6 to 8 months after birth due to immunity passed on from their mothers. Older kids are usually immunized against measles according to state and school health regulations.
For most kids, the measles vaccine is part of the measles-mumps-rubella immunizations (MMR) given at 12 to 15 months of age and again at 4 to 6 years of age. Measles vaccine is not usually given to infants younger than 12 months old. But if there's a measles outbreak, the vaccine may be given when a child is 9 months old, followed by the usual MMR immunization at 12-15 months.
As is the case with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Your child's doctor should have the most current information regarding recommendations about the measles immunization. Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant women, or to kids with active tuberculosis, leukemia, lymphoma, or people whose immune systems are suppressed for some reason.
Also, the vaccine shouldn't be given to kids who have a history of severe allergic reaction to gelatin or to the antibiotic neomycin, as they are at risk for serious reactions to the vaccine. These kids can be protected from measles infection with an injection of antibodies called gamma globulin if it's given within 6 days of exposure - these antibodies can either prevent measles or make the symptoms less severe.
Measles vaccine occasionally causes side effects in kids who don't have any underlying health problems. In about 10% of cases the measles vaccine causes a fever between 5 and 12 days after vaccination, and in about 5% of cases the vaccine causes a rash, which isn't contagious and usually fades on its own.
Treatment
The symptoms of measles usually lasts for about 2 weeks. It is highly contagious, and 90% of people who haven't been vaccinated for measles will get it if they live in the same household as an infected person.
If your child has been diagnosed with measles, it's important to closely monitor him or her for fever and other symptoms to spot any complications.
In some cases, measles can lead to other health problems, such as croup, and infections like bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), myocarditis, and encephalitis.
Measles also can make the body more susceptible to ear infections or other health problems caused by bacteria.
If fever is making your child more uncomfortable, you may want to give a non-aspirin fever medication such as acetaminophen.
Remember, you should never give aspirin to a child who has a viral illness since the use of aspirin in such cases has been associated with the development of Reye syndrome.
As with any viral infection, encourage your child to drink clear fluids: water, fruit juice, tea, and lemonade. These will help replace bodily fluids your child loses in the heat and sweating of fever episodes.
Use a cool-mist vaporizer to relieve cough and to soothe breathing passages. Clean the vaporizer each day to prevent mold from growing. Avoid hot-water or steam vaporizers that can cause accidental burns and scalds in children.
Children with measles should get extra rest to help them recover.
It's usually safe for your child to return to school 7 to 10 days after the fever and rash go away. But to be sure, check with your child's doctor.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Call your child's doctor immediately if you suspect that your child has measles. Also, it's important to get medical care if your child:
- is an infant and has been exposed to measles
- is taking medicines that depress the immune system
- has tuberculosis, cancer, or a disease that affects the immune system
- Keep track of your child's temperature.
- Let the doctor know if your child has an earache, since this may be a sign of an infection.
Reviewed by: Kate Cronan, MD
Date reviewed: October 2005
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD
Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Re: Measles
Measles is an acute viral infectious disease. References to
measles can be found from as early as the 7th century. The
disease was described by the Persian physician Rhazes in the10th century as ?more dreaded than smallpox.?
In 1846, Peter Panum described the incubation period of
measles and lifelong immunity after recovery from the disease.
Enders and Peebles isolated the virus in human and monkey
kidney tissue culture in 1954. The first live attenuated
vaccine was licensed for use in the United States in 1963
(Edmonston B strain).
Before a vaccine was available, infection with measles virus
was nearly universal during childhood, and more than 90%
of persons were immune by age 15 years. Measles is still a common and often fatal disease in developing countries.
The World Health Organization estimates there were more than 30 million cases and 454,000 deaths from measles in 2004.
The measles virus is a paramyxovirus, genus
From the CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/Nip/publications/pink/meas.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/Nip/publications/pink/meas.pdf
Measles
Measles is an acute viral infectious disease. References to
measles can be found from as early as the 7th century. The
disease was described by the Persian physician Rhazes in the10th century as ?more dreaded than smallpox.?
In 1846, Peter Panum described the incubation period of
measles and lifelong immunity after recovery from the disease.
Enders and Peebles isolated the virus in human and monkey
kidney tissue culture in 1954. The first live attenuated
vaccine was licensed for use in the United States in 1963
(Edmonston B strain).
Before a vaccine was available, infection with measles virus
was nearly universal during childhood, and more than 90%
of persons were immune by age 15 years. Measles is still a common and often fatal disease in developing countries.
The World Health Organization estimates there were more than 30 million cases and 454,000 deaths from measles in 2004.
Measles Virus
The measles virus is a paramyxovirus, genus
Morbillivirus.
It is 100?200 nm in diameter, with a core of single-stranded
RNA, and is closely related to the rinderpest and canine
distemper viruses.
Two membrane envelope proteins are important
in pathogenesis. They are the F (fusion) protein, which is
responsible for fusion of virus and host cell membranes, viral
penetration, and hemolysis, and the H (hemagglutinin) protein,
which is responsible for adsorption of virus to cells.
There is only one antigenic type of measles virus. Although
studies have documented changes in the H glycoprotein,
these changes do not appear to be epidemiologically important
(i.e., no change in vaccine efficacy has been observed).
Measles virus is rapidly inactivated by heat, light, acidic pH,
ether, and trypsin.
It has a short survival time (less than 2
hours) in the air or on objects and surfaces.
It is 100?200 nm in diameter, with a core of single-stranded
RNA, and is closely related to the rinderpest and canine
distemper viruses.
Two membrane envelope proteins are important
in pathogenesis. They are the F (fusion) protein, which is
responsible for fusion of virus and host cell membranes, viral
penetration, and hemolysis, and the H (hemagglutinin) protein,
which is responsible for adsorption of virus to cells.
There is only one antigenic type of measles virus. Although
studies have documented changes in the H glycoprotein,
these changes do not appear to be epidemiologically important
(i.e., no change in vaccine efficacy has been observed).
Measles virus is rapidly inactivated by heat, light, acidic pH,
ether, and trypsin.
It has a short survival time (less than 2
hours) in the air or on objects and surfaces.
Pathogenesis
Measles is a systemic infection.
The primary site of infection is the respiratory epithelium of the nasopharynx.
Two to three days after invasion and replication in the respiratory
epithelium and regional lymph nodes, a primary viremia
occurs with subsequent infection of the reticuloendothelial
system.
Following further viral replication in regional and
distal reticuloendothelial sites, a second viremia occurs 5?7
days after initial infection.
During this viremia, there may be infection of the respiratory tract and other organs. Measles virus is shed from the nasopharynx beginning with the prodrome until 3?4 days after rash onset.
The primary site of infection is the respiratory epithelium of the nasopharynx.
Two to three days after invasion and replication in the respiratory
epithelium and regional lymph nodes, a primary viremia
occurs with subsequent infection of the reticuloendothelial
system.
Following further viral replication in regional and
distal reticuloendothelial sites, a second viremia occurs 5?7
days after initial infection.
During this viremia, there may be infection of the respiratory tract and other organs. Measles virus is shed from the nasopharynx beginning with the prodrome until 3?4 days after rash onset.