Measles on the run
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, our dear na tional leader, in an almost begging tone, on national television, advised and urged parents especially mothers to have their children immunized with the measles vaccine.
Health centers all over the country compete with each other with their own statistics of measles but the most disturbing one was the incidence rate of Metro Manila which compared measles patients same time 2018 and 2019 showing a whopping 745 percent increase, from 60 to 169 cases.
Then almost everyday news show the viral disease is spreading, obviously, like a wayward train, measles is on the run, with a very worrisome effect, more and more children succumb to the illness especially the very serious pneumonia.
Measles – tigdas in Filipino, kamuras in Ilokano – also called clinically as “rubeola” is a highly contagious viral infection producing various symptoms- some deadly- and a characteristic rash. People are infected by breathing in small airborne droplets of moisture coughed out by a sick patient, who now is also sick with the rash appearing 2-3 days after the exposure, remaining to be the source of infection until the rash disappears.
An infected person first develops fever, runny nose-rhinorrhea- sore throat, hacking cough and red eyes- which could be mistaken as viral conjunctivitis, which is also very contagious. For most patients, tiny whitish spots called Koplik spots appear inside the mouth 2 – 4 days later, with a mild itchy rash 3 – 4 days after the start of the symptoms. In atypical manner, the rash begins in front of and below the ears and on the side of the neck as irregular flat, red areas that soon become raised or elevated. Later the rash spreads down to the trunk-body- arms and legs as the rash in the face begins to fade.
Experiences of our grandmothers and mothers all conclude that measles is part and parcel of the growth of all children- “natural na bahagi ng paglaki ng mga bata”- so much so that in healthy and well-nourished children, measles is rarely serious. And being viral, it does not re- quire antibiotics and for the most part, self-limiting, meaning, with isolation and home rest of the patient, balanced diet, enough sleep, hydration, the patient should be up and about in a few days, with the happy secure thought, that from now on, he/she will not be ill anymore of measles because of the antibodies formed- Immunoglobulin G - that would provide immunity for a lifetime. Admittedly, the fever could really go sky-high but paracetamol/acetaminophen lower it to normal levels and ease the accompanying body aches.
The high-level of concern of health agencies and even non-governmental organizations, is understandable. With the alarming rise in morbidity-illness and mortality-death- associated with the outbreak of measles, on the background of the collective fear, negative attitude and reluctance of most of the populace to vaccination because of the lingering Dengvaxia issue, our dear President Duterte is joined by Department of Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque, Gundo Weiler, WHO consultant to the Philippines in encouraging the massive implementation of measles vaccination, with a vigorous house – to – house campaign, telling all and sundry, in brave categorical terms that the measles vaccine has been used worldwide, with impressive record of efficacy and safety, assuring everyone that it is readily available in government health centers, free of charge.
Worldwide, measles vaccine is one of the routine immunizations of childhood. The vaccine is usually given in combination with mumps – parotitis and rubella – German measles as MMR, which is as measles – mumps – rubella. As a re-