NewsDesk @bactiman63

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reports there is a measles outbreak in Nepal.

Between 24 November 2022 and 10 March 2023, a total of 690 measles cases, including one associated death (CFR 0.14%) have been reported from seven districts in western Nepal. Nearly half the cases (327, 47%)  were reported from Banke district, Lumbini province, which borders India.

Image/Robert Herriman

The majority of the cases (n=591; 86%) have been reported in children aged less than 15 years.  However, nine measles cases have also been observed in the older age group (≥ 45 years) with the maximum age of a case being 73 years.

Over half of the cases (58%; n=400) are unvaccinated.

An effective and safe vaccine is available for prevention and control. The measles-containing vaccine first dose (MCV1) is given at the age of nine months, while the second dose of the measles-containing second dose (MCV2) is given at the age of 15 months. A 95% population coverage of MCV1 and MCV2 is required to stop measles circulation.

Caused by a highly contagious virus, measles spreads from person to person by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Signs and symptoms of measles include rash, high fever and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. People can spread measles up to 4 days before and 4 days after they have a rash. Measles can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs), and even death.

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very