In this modern day, different types of viruses and diseases are spreading all over. Uncontrollable, incurable, and complicated diseases that threatened our lives. Us, adults may handle and can be independent on our own in case of sickness but this highly contiguous disease is attacking children, young adults and even infants is really a great concern in our society for the victims are not still capable of handling such problem to their health.
Here in the Philippines, an outbreak of deadly measles has occurred in several districts in at least nine cities in Metro Manila. It is quite alarming that there were 1,724 measles cases and 21 deaths from January 1, to December 14, 2013. According to the Department of Health The outbreak was declared in Quiapo, Sampaloc, Tondo, Binondo, Sta. Cruz, Port Area and Sta. Mesa in Manila; Dagat-Dagatan and Bagong Barrio in Caloocan City; Talon 5, Talon 2, and Pamplona Uno in Las Piñas; and Longos and Tonsuya in Malabon. And the following years, it was a huge public health issue for the in 2014 when the country reported more than 58,000 cases and 110 deaths. It is spreading quickly because a single measles case can infect up to 18 other individuals compared to only five for human immunodeficiency virus and three for flu. A person who enters a room where a person with measles has just left, can still get measles as the virus can live up to two hours outside the host body.
But what really is this deadly disease that we should be informed before it gets in our way?
Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus. A virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract , then spreads throughout the body. Occurring mostly on children that is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available. The symptoms appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically includes Fever, Inflamed eyes, Dry cough, Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek also called Koplik’s spots, runny Nose, Sore throat and A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another.
But the bright side of this is, The Department of Health intends to vaccinate as many children as possible to ensure the country remains on track in eliminating measles by 2017. Health officials said there is a need for a door-to-door vaccination drive to protect the public against measles, especially children, pregnant mothers and immuno-compromised individuals.
Sources:
Jaymalin, M. (2014). DOH: Measles outbreak in MM. Retrieved December 10, 2016 from
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014 /01/06/1275567/doh-measles-out
Herriman, R. (2015). Measles cases down dramatically in the Philippines in 2015. Retrieved
December 10, 2016 from http://outbreaknewstoday.com/measles-cases-down
dramatically-in-the-philippines-in-2015-2015/
Geronimo, J. (2016). Measles-free Philippines by 2017?. Retrieved December 10, 2016 from
http://www.rappler.com/nation/47400-measles-free-philippines-2017
Key facts. Retrived December 10, 2016 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsh
eets/fs286/en/
The Broader Knowledge 