Ukraine has reported an increase in measles cases in 2017, according to the Public Health Center (PHC) of Ukraine Thursday (computer translated).
The current case count stands at 735, and the vaccination rates are very poor, according to health officials.
In 2016, only 45 percent of children in Ukraine were vaccinated against measles.
Over the past 15 years, spikes in measles in Ukraine have been seen three times – in 2001, 2006 and 2012, respectively. During these years, the incidence increased by tens and hundreds of times. In particular, in 2012 about 13,000 cases were reported.
Health officials In order to prevent disease and avoid complications, consult your doctor about vaccination.
Ukraine has a comprehensive vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). It is safe, effective, and provides lasting protection.
Measles is caused by a virus belonging to the paramyxovirus. The disease is one of the most infectious diseases that exists. Measles virus excreted by breathing the air and spread through air droplets (aerosols). Susceptible people infected via the respiratory tract or mucous membranes of the eyes.
The incubation period is 7-18 days, usually about 10 days.
At the onset of measles is acute with rapidly rising fever, eye irritation and increasingly troublesome dry cough. After a day occurs a red and often confluent rash that usually only seen in the face and then spreads down the trunk and extremities.Another early symptoms of measles are small white spots on the buccal mucosa (Koplik’s spots).
Complications are quite common. Toddlers often suffer from respiratory problems and the infected mucous membranes may become secondarily infected with bacteria. Children can then have, for example, otitis media, sinusitis or pneumonia, which often requires antibiotic treatment. Measles virus is also capable of causing pneumonia in itself.
