Two major public health organizations have labeled measles a “imminent threat” to the global society in a joint study.
A child in Mumbai, India receives measles treatment at a temporary vaccination camp.
AFP Images via Getty
Released on Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that a historic decrease in measles vaccination rates and ongoing big outbreaks posed a “imminent threat” to every part of the globe.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, stated that it was “extremely essential” that immunization programs be reinstated in order to avert a “preventable illness.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, asserts that vaccines are the most significant component in reducing measles risk.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, asserts that vaccinations are the most important factor in reducing measles risk.
Ge via Pacific Press/LightRocket
“The paradox of the pandemic is that while vaccines against Covid-19 were developed in record time and deployed in the largest vaccination campaign in history, routine immunization programs were severely disrupted, and millions of children missed out on lifesaving vaccinations against deadly diseases such as measles,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said.
India, Somalia, and Yemen are the three nations with the greatest measles outbreak, per the WHO.
Although measles is believed to be one of the most contagious viruses, the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination offered to children is regarded as the most effective way to prevent future epidemics.
A child is vaccinated on November 23, 2022, following a measles outbreak in India.
AFP Images via Getty
In Australia, the vaccination is free for children aged 12 to 18 months. People under 20 years of age, refugees, and humanitarian arrivals may also be eligible for a catch-up vaccination.
According to the CDC, nine out of ten individuals who are not immunized against the illness will become infected upon exposure.
A child is vaccinated on November 23, 2022, following a measles epidemic in India.
The virus is spread by water droplets expelled during sneezes and coughs by infected individuals. Frequent symptoms include fever, cold-like symptoms, conjunctivitis, and red, blotchy rashes that first occur on the face and hairline before spreading to the rest of the body.
The distinctive rash often appears three to four days after the onset of the initial symptoms.
Last week, travelers who traveled through Melbourne Airport were advised to check their health until Saturday, December 3.
There were three confirmed cases in a family traveling from Singapore to Melbourne, increasing the total number of verified cases in 2022 to five.
The passengers boarded Qantas flight QF36/Emirates aircraft EK5036 in Singapore on Monday and arrived at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport at around 6:10 a.m. on Tuesday. According to reports, they were inside the airport until 8:40 a.m.
Deborah Friedman, Victoria’s deputy chief health officer, recommended those with symptoms to seek medical attention, wear a mask, and phone ahead to guarantee isolation from others.
A vial containing measles and rubella vaccination.
She stated that young children and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to severe disease.
“Measles is a very contagious viral illness that spreads rapidly via close contact, especially among unvaccinated individuals,” stated Ms. Friedman.
In September of this year, New South Wales recorded its first case of measles in two years. After returning to Sydney from a trip to Asia, a person in their fifties was diagnosed with infection.
Leave a Reply