...Measles: What You Might Not Know Amy Cobb Western Governors University Abstract For years measles claimed the lives of many people throughout the world. Although mostly eradicated in the United States, measles outbreaks still occur in developing third world countries. This paper will analyze one such outbreak that occurred in 2011 and the epidemiological data and indicators that surrounded it. What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can be fatal. Although an uncommon disease in the United States of America, in 2008, measles killed 164,000 children worldwide ("Measles symptoms," 2012). The disease measles and the virus that causes it share the same name. The disease is also called rubeola. Measles virus normally grows in the cells that line the back of the throat and lungs ("Meales: Rubeola," 2012). In 2000, measles were declared eliminated from the United States. However with the increase in foreign travel, outbreaks are still reported to the CDC annually ("Meales: Rubeola," 2012). One such outbreak occurred on June 20, 2011. An emergency room physician reported five epidemiologically linked measles cases to the Indiana State Department of Health. The subsequent investigation identified a total of 14 confirmed cases in northeast Indiana (Brown, 2011). Of the 14 cases, 13 were unvaccinated people in the same extended family. The remaining patient was a 23 month old child who had received one dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine...
Words: 1562 - Pages: 7
...VWT Task 2 MB WGU 1.The measles is a very contagious viral illness. In 2002, USA announced that measles virus was eradicated in our country. Despite the fact, that the world has made enormous progress in the fight against measles in the last decade, this virus seems to be attacking and killing people again. The measles outbreak started in the Disneyland California in December of 2014. It is still unknown, who brought the virus to the “Happiest place on earth”, but according to the CDC, measles most likely was brought to the park by an infected foreign visitor (Centers For Disease Control and Prevention .Measles Cases and Outbreaks, 2015). The virus was first reported on December 28, 2014 in the case of a not immunized 11-year-old child. On January 5, 2015 four additional measles cases in California and two in Utah were linked to the Disneyland in Orange County. From December 28, 2014 to March 15, 2015 total of 125 people from several states including California, WA, AC, CO, NE, UA were reported to be infected with the same measles virus. After further virus examination, CDC determined that this virus is linked to measles genotype B3 2014 epidemic outbreak in Philippines. In the last six months, same measles virus was also reported in Mexico, Canada and 12 other countries around the globe( Centers For Disease Control and Prevention .Measles Outbreak — California, December 2014–February 2015). 2a. The measles virus remains in the infected person...
Words: 1385 - Pages: 6
...CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Measles sometimes known as English Measles, is spread through respiration, (contact from fluids of an infected person, nose and mouth either directly or through aerosol transmission) and is highly contagious -90% of people without immunity sharing living space with an infected person will catch. The infection has an average incubation period of 14 days (range 6-19days) and infectivity last from 2-4 days prior, until 2-5 days following the onset of the rash. An alternative name for measles in English- speaking countries is rubeolla, which is sometimes confused with rubella (German Measles); the disease are urelated. The classical symptoms of measles includes four days fever, the C’s –cough, coryza (runny nose), and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The fever may reach up to 40oC(104o F). Koplik’s spots seen inside the mouth are pathognomonic (diagnostic) for measles but are not often seen, even in real cases of measles, because they are transient and may disappear with the day of rising. The characteristic measles, rash is classically described as a generalized, Maculo-papular, erythematous rash that begin several days after the fever start. It starts on the head before spreading to cover most of the body, often causing itching. Complication of measles are relatively common, ranging from relatively mild and less serious diarrhea, pneumonia and acute encephalitis (and rarely sub-acute sclerosing pancephalitis), corneal ulceration leading to corneal scarring. In...
Words: 777 - Pages: 4
...Measles is an airborne disease that is spread through respiration (contact with fluids from an infected person's nose and mouth, either directly or through aerosol transmission (coughing or sneezing)), and is highly contagious—90% of people without immunity sharing living space with an infected person will catch it.[4] An asymptomatic incubation period occurs nine to twelve days from initial exposure. The period of infectivity has not been definitively established, some saying it lasts from two to four days prior, until two to five days following the onset of the rash (i.e., four to nine days infectivity in total), whereas others say it lasts from two to four days prior until the complete disappearance of the rash. The rash usually appears between 2–3 days after the onset of illness. The classic signs and symptoms of measles include four-day fevers [ the 4 D's ] and the three Cs—cough, coryza (head cold), and conjunctivitis (red eyes)—along with fever and rashes. The fever may reach up to 40 °C (104 °F). Koplik's spots seen inside the mouth are pathognomonic (diagnostic) for measles, but are not often seen, even in confirmed cases of measles, because they are transient and may disappear within a day of arising. Their recognition, before the affected person reaches maximum infectivity can be used to reduce spread of epidemics. Complications with measles are relatively common, ranging from mild and less serious complications such as diarrhea to more serious ones such as pneumonia...
Words: 2169 - Pages: 9
...Introduction: Measles is a viral illness. This means it is caused by a virus. The measles virus is highly contagious. The virus can spread from person to person quickly and easily. It spreads when people breathe, cough, or sneeze into the air. It can also be shared by touching surfaces infected with the virus and getting it into your respiratory tract (nose, mouth, or throat).The virus in the air or on surfaces can still infect you up to 2 hours after the infected person has left the area. The phases or steps in the measles process are important so quick identification and supportive treatment can begin. Measles follows a similar course for most people. Knowing where you are in the process between exposure (being around someone infected with the virus) to showing symptoms helps you know how long symptoms will last and what symptoms to expect. Measles occur most often in countries without vaccinations for the measles virus. Due to the measles vaccine, measles was almost eliminated from the United States. However, the cases of measles is on the rise due to failure of people to get vaccinated and the immigration of foreign citizens without immunity (protection from the virus). The next section will provide details about the infectious timeline of measles. It begins with the initial exposure to the virus, then details the incubation period (before symptoms appear), the usual order of symptoms, ending with the relief of rash and other associated symptoms. Koplik’s spots in mouth;...
Words: 695 - Pages: 3
...Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. It is caused by paramyxovirus and is the most unpleasant and one of the most dangerous children's diseases. What causes Measles? Measles is caused by an infection with the rubeola virus. The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets which come out of your mouth and nose when someone who has measles coughs or sneezes. How is it spread? You can catch measles by breathing in these droplets or if the droplets have settled on a surface and you touch it and then place your hands near your face. However, the measles virus can only survive on a surface for a few hours. Once inside your body, it multiplies in the back of your throat and lungs before it spreads around your body including on your skins and the respiratory system. When you get measles you are infected for two to four days before the rash appears and for about five days after it appears. Symptoms After around 14 days of contracting the disease, the following symptoms begin to show: • A fever at about 39c • Coughing • Sore throat – the lymph nodes may swell. • Reddish eyes • Sensitivity to light • Greyish spots about the size of grains of sand may appear in the mucous membrane of the mouth just around the molar teeth. They can be seen before the rash appears. • After 3-4days the temperature might fall but it can go high again when the rash appears. • The rash usually beings around the ears and spreads to the body and the legs within two...
Words: 434 - Pages: 2
...Measles is an infectious viral disease typically occurring in childhood. Long ago, this disease caused great loss. Measles originated in the Middle East causing several outbreaks in schools and small communities. After being spread throughout the Middle East it eventually made it to parts of Europe and Asia. It was very easy for soldiers fighting in parts of Asia and the Middle East to bring the measles virus back home. The rapid spreading of measles throughout these parts of the world caused several epidemics and outbreaks. Epidemics have spread illness and death for centuries all around the world. The worst epidemics were during the renaissance and the middle ages. Epidemics during this time broke out frequently, and without warning. Europe...
Words: 1381 - Pages: 6
...Measles, also known as rubeola, is a respiratory infection that is caused by a virus. It is very contagious and can be easily contracted. Being in the same room as a person with measles for an hour or longer, having contact with saliva or mucus from a person with measles, or being near them when they sneeze or cough, are all possible ways to catch the measles. This infection can be very irritating, severe, and sometimes even fatal. Some symptoms include, fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, and inflamed eyes. These are some short term effects that the body could go through if it is affected by measles. Some long term symptoms/effects include Koplik spot’s (white, red, and bluish spots found in the inner lining of the cheek), skin rashes,...
Words: 689 - Pages: 3
...Measles is a very contagious virus that has caused outbreaks over decades across the world. In the past six months, Minnesota has had one of the largest outbreaks in the United States. According to the CNN article, The United States had 70 confirmed Measles cases in the year 2016, Minnesota alone has 73 confirmed cases to date.1 This widespread preventable virus is infecting human’s due to the lack of vaccinations against Measles. Measles, also referred to as Rubeola, is caused by the Measles virus, a part of the Paramyxovirdiae family and Morbillivirus genus.3 This virus is contracted by human to human interaction through airborne droplets such as sneezing, coughing, and close contact.3 Measles is known to appear as a respiratory virus presenting...
Words: 351 - Pages: 2
...Measles (Rubeola) Measles, also known as Rubeola, is an infection caused by a virus. It is a member of the genus morbillivirus and in the family Paramyxoviridae and is highly contagious. Once quite common, measles can now almost always be prevented with vaccination. Measles elimination was declared in the United States in 2000, as result of such vaccination. Measles outbreaks now come from traveling overseas to infected areas and bringing the disease back to the United States. The United States averages only about 60 cases of measles a year, and most of the cases have originated outside the country (Manual for the Surveillance of,” 2014). Identification of International Outbreak The last known measles outbreak, with a known origin, began with a group from Christian Aid Ministries, who went on a mission to the Philippines in 2014. The Philippines, at the time, were experiencing a very large measles outbreak, with over 30,000 suspected cases being reported in the Asian nation. The U.S. experienced 23 measles outbreaks in 2014, including one large outbreak of 383 cases, occurring primarily among unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio. Many of the cases in the U.S. in 2014 were associated with cases brought in from the Philippines (Manual for the Surveillance of,” 2014). Details of International Outbreak Forty-nine percent of the cases in the U.S. in 2014 were associated with cases brought in from the Philippines. Of the 288 cases, 280 were associated with importations from at...
Words: 2263 - Pages: 10
...Measles virus Paramyxovirus Morbillivirus 150 – 300 nm Single strand RNA Enveloped Mumps virus Paramyxoviru Rubulavirus 60 – 70 nm Enveloped Single strand RNA Heat Light Acidic pH Ether Trypsin < 2 hours in the air objects surfaces Respiratory Droplet Inhaled Manually Entry into body travels Throat Lungs Incubation period 14 days 4 days before – 4 days after Rash High fever (up to 105°F or 40.6°C) Tiredness Muscle and body aches Irritability Conjunctivitis Runny nose Hacking cough Koplik’s spots Respiratory conditions Eye conditions including blindness Diarrhea Ear infections Stomach pain Pneumonia Encephalitis Seizures Death Miscarriage Normal childhood disease 50% of children had by age 6 90% of children had by age 15 3,000,000 to 4,000,000 cases annually 400 – 500 deaths 1,000 cases of Measles Encephalitis 1963 Measles vaccine 2000 Elimination Declared 1989 – 1991 55,622 cases reported 2nd dose of measles vaccine 1993 – Today Fever Tiredness Muscle and Body aches Loss of appetite Sore throat Chills Swelling of the Parotid gland Last about a week 2/3 cases - 5 days later Swelling the other Parotid gland Parotid gland Meninges Breasts Liver Pancreas Thyroid Heart Testes or ovaries Kidneys Encephalitis and Meningitis Inflammation of the testes Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breasts Miscarriage Deafness Pancreatitis < 1967 100,000 to 200,000 cases ...
Words: 416 - Pages: 2
...Measles Measles is a highly contagious disease. It is caused by an RNA virus that changes constantly. Measles symptoms usually include a bad cough, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and a very high fever. Red patches with white grain like centers appear along the gum line in the mouth two to four days after the first symptoms show. These patches are called Koplik spots because Henry Koplick first noticed them in 1896. The Spots are important to diagnose measles. A characteristic red rash in measles is red spots starting at the hairline and going down to the face, body, and limbs. Measles usually ends with a complete recovery, but some rare complications can occur with the lungs and brain. Measles might also be linked with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. In 1978, the U.S. Public Health Service started vaccinating for measles. All school age children were vaccinated. Two years later the measles virus occurring went down 99 percent. Now days, measles is very rare and all children are vaccinated for it Measles is a highly contagious disease. It is caused by an RNA virus that changes constantly. Measles symptoms usually include a bad cough, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, sensitivity to light, and a very high fever. Red patches with white grain like centers appear along the gum line in the mouth two to four days after the first symptoms show. These patches are called Koplik spots because Henry Koplick first noticed them in 1896. The Spots are important...
Words: 348 - Pages: 2
...The recent measles outbreak at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA caused San Diego County to come together for a better cause. Resources and services such as the San Diego Immunization program, San Diego Community college Student Services program, and San Diego Health and human services immunization program are only three of the hundreds of programs available in the community to help in improving the health and wellness of the people in San Diego from the measles. The San Diego Immunization program helps the local community improve both their health and wellness by providing them with free educational resources of the importance of immunizations, various immunization services sites located all over the county, and data and statistics ("San Diego Immunization Program ", n.d.). These resources help the local community immensely by providing them with scientific based evidence on the importance of immunizing themselves as having locations where they can receive their vaccinations thus improving their health and the health of those around them. Health Centers can be found in several places around the county, providing array of services to all sorts of customers. San Diego has a large population of college students, with many of them not covered under mom and dad’s health insurance. Most colleges has a student health center to provide a variety of services such as; basic first aid, mental health services, preventive care, gonorrhea testing, chlamydia testing and health counseling. San...
Words: 304 - Pages: 2
...people from 17 states and Washington DC to have measles from January 4 – April 2, 2015 (Clemmons, Gastanaduy, Fiebelkorn, Reddl, & Wallace, 2015). Among the cases 155 were U.S. residents and four were foreign visitors. 70% of the cases were connected to an outbreak that originated in Orange County, California in December 2014. The cases were part of a large multi-state outbreak connected to an amusement park in California ("Measles cases," 2016). A 2. The incidence of measles has decreased substantially in regions where vaccination has been instituted and subsequently measles occurs predominantly in areas with low vaccination rates, particularly in the developing world. Worldwide, measles is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine, over two million deaths occurred annually, the majority in children less than5 years of age. Prior to the availability of the vaccine, annual measles prevalence peaked at 85, 862 in Texas in 1958 ("Measles cases," 2016). Since the vaccine, cases have declined by 99.9% in Texas. Almost all cases and outbreaks of measles in Texas and the US since 2000 has occurred among persons exposed to imported cases from countries where measles is still endemic ("Measles," 2015) Since measles is still endemic in developing parts of the world and is dangerously contagious, this viral illness could readily passed into unvaccinated communities. Measles is a highly contagious virus caused by the rubeola...
Words: 1241 - Pages: 5
...Community Outbreak Community Outbreak The outbreak of measles is at an all time high in 2011 with a confirmed 223 cases, up from 2008 with only a 140 confirmed cases (Iannelli, 2011). In 1989 with the last big measles out break the introduction of the MMR , measles outbreaks were scarce in the United States (Iannelli, 2011). The rise in outbreaks were linked back to foreign travel in the 2008 outbreaks (Iannelli, 2011). Another link in the rise in measles outbreak is the choice not to vaccinate. Many parents now opt not to have their children vaccinated for personal reasons. This makes the child more susceptible to the outbreak and thus passes it on to others. * Epidemiology- although the incidence of measles has risen in recent years efforts to control the outbreaks globally have altered the virus transmission. In developed countries measles has been contained by vaccinations during childhood. Worldwide measles is the cause of morbidity and mortality. Measles was estimated to cause about 31 to 39.9 million illnesses with about 777,000 deaths worldwide (Barinaga & Skolnik). Measles is the fifth most common cause of death in children less than fives years old. The World Health Organization (WHO) put a strategy in place to vaccinate greater than 90 percent of the people with two doses of the MMR vaccine and to monitor that population very carefully. This would include case investigations of anyone suspected of contracting the virus (Barinaga & Skolnik)...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
