MEASLES AND RUBELLA KEY FACTS

MEASLES:      KEY FACTS

·     Measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost - effective vaccine is available.

·         In 2012, there were 122,000 measles death globally - about 330 deaths every day or 14 deaths every hour.

 

·         Measles vaccination resulted in a 78% drop in Measles death between 2000 and 2012 world wide.

·         In 2012 about 84% of the world’s children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday through routine health services – up from 27% 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.

RUBELLA:      KEY FACTS

·         Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.

·         Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause fatal death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).

·         Worldwide, an estimated 110,000 babies are born with CRS every year.

·         There is no specific treatment for Rubella but the disease is preventable by vaccination.

·         The Rubella virus is transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough.

SYMPTOMS:

·         In children, the disease is usually mild, with symptoms including a rash, low fever (39°c), nausea and mild conjunctivitis. The rash, which occurs in 50 – 80% of cases, usually starts on the face and neck before progressing down the body, and last 1-3 days. Swollen lymph glands behind the ears and in the neck are the most characteristic clinical feature. Infected adults, more commonly women, may develop arthritis and painful joints that usually last from 3-10 days.

·         Once a person is infected, the virus spreads throughout the body in about 5-7 days. Symptoms usually appear two to three week after exposure. The most infections period is usually 1-5 days after the appearance of the rash.

·         When a woman is infected with the Rubella virus early in pregnancy, she has a 90% chance of passing the virus on to her foetus. This can cause miscarriage. Stillbirth or severe birth defects known as CRS. Infants with CRS may excrete the virus for a year or more.