One of the symptoms experienced by children when infected with the virus that causes measles is high fever. (Photo: Pexels/Gustavo Fring)
Himedik.com – Measles epidemic again. Although this infectious disease often infects children, it can also affect adults.
Head of the Ministry of Health’s Communication and Public Service Bureau, Dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, revealed that the number of cases of measles occurred at almost all ages.
“The number of incidents until December 2022 was reported from 31 provinces. The patients are almost of all ages,” he said some time ago.
Furthermore, Nadia explained, there were more than 3,000 cases of measles throughout 2022 spread across 31 provinces.
“There are 3,341 cases in 2022 reported in 223 urban districts from 31 provinces,” he said.
The number of cases has increased by 32 times. The reason, said Nadia, was that the measles immunization coverage did not meet the target for the 2020-2022 period.
One of the reasons why the measles vaccination did not reach the target was that the focus of health services during the COVID-19 pandemic focused on efforts to control SARS-C0v-2 which causes COVID-19.
Based on the Ministry of Health’s report, the coverage of complete basic immunization in infants has decreased by 84 percent of the immunization target of 92 percent.
Measles immunization is given simultaneously with the rubella vaccine in a Measles-Rubella vaccine package in three injections, namely at the age of 9 months, 18 months and for children equivalent to grade 1 SD/MI/equivalent.
Ira Purnamasari Lecturer at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIK) UM Surabaya, said that measles is a disease caused by a virus.
Measles is dangerous, because it can cause permanent nervous disorders, visual disturbances to blindness, diarrhea to dehydration, pneumonia (pneumonia), to cause death.
Reporting from the University of Muhammadiyah Surabaya website, Ira said the symptoms of measles are characterized by high fever for several days, red eyes, runny nose, a rash appears gradually starting from behind the ears, then on the face of the neck which spreads to the rest of the body (hands and feet), and appears small white patches in mouth and throat
“This virus is transmitted through droplets that come out of the nose and mouth, when someone infected with measles speaks, coughs, sneezes, and has a runny nose,” he added.
Facing the epidemic of measles, Ira shared some tips to prevent measles infection.
1. MR/MMR immunization
MR/MMR immunization is effective in preventing children from becoming infected with measles
2. Avoid contact with infected people
When someone is infected with measles, 90% of people who have close contact with the patient can be infected, if they do not have immunity to measles.
“Immunity is formed if you have been immunized or have been infected with measles before,” explained Ira.
3. Clean and healthy living behavior
Clean and healthy living behavior can be done by consuming nutritious food, and meeting fluid needs every day.
4. Enough Rest
Adequate and quality rest is the main key to a healthy body, soul and mind.
Not only that, adequate rest can also reduce the risk of injury, improve mood, control weight and improve memory and thinking power.
5. Immediately go to the doctor if the child has symptoms
If your little one shows symptoms of being infected with the measles virus, Parents should immediately take him to the nearest health facility or DSA
