Disease Control Centre Calls on People for Anti-Measles Immunization
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, January 31
(TBILISI)—Georgia’s National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) calls on the society to undergo anti-measles immunization due to increased cases of the disease this year.
The NCDC reports that 102 cases of measles have been observed in Georgia only in January 2018. 85 cases out of the total 102 have been observed in Georgia’s Adjara region.
“34% of the cases occurred in the age group above 20. 19,5% of cases occurred in the age group of under 1 year where the highest rate of illnesses have been reported; it indicates deficiency in the immune system,” the NCDC statement reads.
The National Center for Disease Control says babies who have not been immunized, represent the highest risk group for measles disease due to complications and death. Also, pregnant women are at high risk of developing the disease.
The Center said prevention and control measures are being carried out throughout the country in order to prevent further spread of the disease, including epidemiological laboratory diagnostics and immunization.
“Measles is a life-threatening disease,” the NCDC stated and called on the society to undergo immunization.
Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus. It is an airborne disease which spreads easily via air and also through saliva or nasal secretions. Nine out of ten people who are not immune and share living space with an infected person will catch it.
Initial signs and symptoms typically include fever, often with temperature higher than 40 °C (104.0 °F), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Two or three days after the start of symptoms, small white spots may form inside the mouth, known as Koplik's spots. A red, flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Complications occur in about 30% and may include diarrhea, blindness, inflammation of the brain, and pneumonia among others.
The measles vaccine is effective at preventing the disease. As reported, vaccination has resulted in a 75% decrease in deaths from measles between 2000 and 2013 with about 85% of children globally being currently vaccinated.
