Running head: 2019 MEASLES OUTBREAK 1

2019 Measles outbreak

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2019 Measles outbreak

Measles is an infectious disease caused by morbillivirus virus. Measles spreads when

infected individual coughs or sneezes. Early signs of the disease include skin rash, high fever,

cough, and eyes. Young children are prone to infection by measles because they have weak

immune systems. There are several dangerous effects of measles which include diarrhoea,

encephalitis (brain swelling), vision loss, pneumonia, ear infections, blindness, or death. The

number of patients infected with measles in the world increased in the year 2019 despite the use

of vaccines to prevent the disease from spreading.

“Measles explained: What’s behind the recent outbreak,” is an article written by Leah

Selim. In the article, Selim explains how measles cases increased by 200% in 2019. An outbreak

of measles occurred across the world; the outbreak had significant effects in several countries

which include Madagascar, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Somalia. The

number of infected persons in the United States in the year 2019 was high as compared to other

years. Other nations such as Czechia, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Europe reported higher

measles cases compared to other years. Measles spread fast across oceans and borders because a

high percentage of people needed vaccination to minimize it from spreading [ CITATION Lea19 \l

1033 ]. The high number of business activities and travellers are some of the other factors that

resulted in the disease spreading more. Measles outbreak took place because the percentage of

the total population vaccinated from the disease was below 95. Low awareness, misinformation,

civil strife, poor health services are some of the reasons which contribute to a drop in the level of

vaccination.

A virus in the family of Paramyxoviridae called morbillivirus causes measles.

Morbillivirus lives in throat and nose mucus of the person infected. Measle Virus (MV) can only
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live in Humans. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated people can easily contract the virus. Measle

infection potential hosts include adults above 20 years, people with weak immunes system,

pregnant women, and children under five years [ CITATION Miz18 \l 1033 ]. MV can spread for up

to two hours once an infected person sneezes or coughs. The virus can infect people if they

breathe air infected with MV or come into contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus.

Measles infection is very communicable because a single person infected by the disease can

spread it to around 90% of the people around him or her. The incubation period of measles is 10

– 14 days after which the person infected experiences generalize rashes, cough, and fever. The

generalized rashes spread in the craniocaudal direction and last for about 5-6 days.

Healthcare personal has an essential role during the measles outbreak. One of the

responsibilities of nurses in preventing measles from spreading includes educating the public

about the presence and importance of immunization against measles. Because of the large

number of people travelling between countries, the public ought to know that the disease can

spread from one country to another. Some parents object the idea of vaccination, and it the role

of nurses to convince them to accept immunization for their children [ CITATION Kim17 \l 1033 ]. In

the current century, the number of parents who do not immunize their children against measles is

increasing. Nurses outline some of the risks which might be associated with children not

vaccinated against measles and how children can stay protected from them once they are

vaccinated [ CITATION Lis19 \l 1033 ]. Measles vaccination is an effective strategy for protecting

children under the age of five years as well as infants against the disease.

MMR vaccines vaccine prevents people from contracting measles. MMR is an

abbreviation, which means a vaccine which prevents the contract of three diseases which include

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. Vaccination is the most effective health protection strategy that
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nurses use to prevent a measles outbreak [ CITATION Wat13 \l 1033 ]. Herd immunity results when

a high percentage of the population are immune to measles infection, mainly through

vaccination. People need two doses in order to protect themselves from measles infection fully.

When a child is at 12 years, the parent is required to ensure that the child gets the first dose, and

then the second dose when the child is three and a third years old. Two MMR vaccines ensure

that there is satisfactory protection from measles for the person in question as well as preventing

transmission of the disease later to vulnerable persons and hence preventing the outbreak of the

disease. In case a person who fails to administer a dose can, however, receive it at any age, even

when the person is an adult. People travelling from one country to another should receive a

vaccination for the disease before these trips. Another technique that nurses use to prevent

measles outbreak is isolating any person with suspectable signs and symptoms for the disease.

Measles is a communicable disease spread through breathing, sneezing, and coughing.

The only hosts for measles are humans, and the disease is associated with severe effects such as

brain swelling, blindness, or even death. Measles has no specific treatment; however, children of

a young age can gain protection from the virus through immunization. A nurse has a remarkable

responsibility in protecting children and the community in general by making sure that

vaccinated with MMR vaccine.

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References

Kim, K. M., & Choi, J. S. (2017). Measles vaccination status of nurses and associated factors

during community measles outbreaks. Japan Journal of Nursing Science, 15(3), 249-257.

doi:10.1111/jjns.12194

Lisenby, K. M., Patel, K. N., & Uichanco, M. T. (2019). The Role of Pharmacists in Addressing

Vaccine Hesitancy and the Measles Outbreak. Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 231-236.

doi:10.1177/0897190019895437

Mizumoto, K., Kobayashi, T., & Chowell, G. (2018). Transmission potential of modified

measles during an outbreak, Japan, March-May 2018. Eurosurveillance, 23-24.

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.24.1800239

Selim, L. (2019, December 5). Measles Explained: What's behind the recent outbreaks?

Retrieved from Unicef: https://www.unicef.org/stories/measles-explained-whats-behind-

recent-outbreaks

Watkins, J. (2013). Preventing the spread of measles. Practice Nursing, 24(6), 294-296.

doi:10.12968/pnur.2013.24.6.294