Health authorities insist on vaccination to tackle Measles outbreak

Sri Lankan Health experts have assured the safety of the vaccination used to combat Measles and maintain that the MMR vaccination should be considered as an additional vaccination dose. In the picture medics are seen examining a child during a vaccination drive to prevent the spread of Measles 

• Measles has resurfaced and is spreading mainly in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai
• Health experts state that the MMR vaccination should be considered as an additional vaccination dose

With Sri Lanka having 700 plus cases of Measles over the course of 2023 the President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Chief Epidemiologist of the Epidemiology Unit Ministry of health Dr. Samitha Ginige and Senior Consultant Pediatrician, Colombo Dr. B.J.C. Perera updated the public about the Measles outbreak and various ways individuals can take responsibility in controlling the spreading of it at a press conference on Thursday (January 4). Despite Sri Lanka being recognised by World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019 for successfully eradicating this highly contagious disease it has resurfaced and spread among a large number of people; mainly in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai.

  “There could be side effects which could commonly arise with any kind of vaccine. These include fever and body aches. However, these pass off within a day or two although the severity of the side effects would vary from person to person,” said President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama.

Dr. Ginige mentioned of a few measures undertaken to prevent this disease by saying “Health authorities have initiated plans to provide an additional vaccination dose to infants aged between 6-9 months to combat Measles”. He added, “An MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) Supplementary Immunization Activity is scheduled to be held on January 6 at all immunization clinic centres within Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna, Kurunegala and Kalmunai. All children born between April 7, 2023 and July 5, 2023 are requested to receive the additional vaccine dose”. Dr. Ginige assured the safety of the vaccination and added that the MMR vaccination should be considered as an additional vaccination dose. Dr. Perera made a request to all mothers to get their children vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of this disease by saying “On the completion of 9 months and 3 years of age all children who have received the SIA-MMR vaccination must be administered with the routine MMR vaccination”.  

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can be life threatening to children

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can be life threatening to children. The infection occurs in stages over 2-3 weeks. For the first 10-14 days after the infection the Measles virus spreads in the body. There are no symptoms of Measles during this time. Measles typically begins with a mild to moderate fever often with a persistent cough, a runny nose, inflamed eyed (conjunctivitis) and a sore throat. A person with Measles can spread the virus to others for about 8 days. The rash will surface after 4 days. (The symptoms of the rash are tiny white spots with bluish white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek called Koplik spots). The disease will end after four days but the rash will still be present.

There is no specific medical treatment once a child contracts Measles. However, a child who is sick and shows symptoms of the first few stages must take plenty of fluid, have lots of rest and stay at home to prevent the spreading of the infection. If the necessary precautions are taken the virus may die within 7 to 10 days. Children with Measles should be kept away from others for 4 days after the rash appears.  About 3 out of 100 people who receive two doses of MMR vaccine run the risk of contracting Measles if exposed to the virus. However, they are more likely to have a milder illness and are also less likely to spread the disease. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 88 percent effective at preventing Measles. Hence pediatricians recommend all children to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama (Centre), President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association, educates media representatives of the Measles outbreak and measures taken to combat the spread of the disease at a press conference held in Colombo on Thursday (January 4). Also in the picture are Dr. B.J.C. Perera (Extreme right), Senior Consultant Pediatrician and Dr. Samitha Ginige, Chief Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of health. 
(Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana)