“Australia’s measles rates are on track to be the worst in five years, with 84 confirmed cases already reported this year,” announced the Sydney Morning Herald just yesterday, highlighting the increasing concerns about what is happening with measles in Australia.
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All of these cases can be traced to travelers who contracted the infection overseas, entered Australia, and unknowingly spread the disease in public areas. The problem arises because these individuals were contagious before they realized they were sick.
In comparison, Australia reported only 103 cases of measles last year, and in 2017, there were just 81 confirmed cases.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Director recently told SBS News that measles is spreading “like wildfire,” highlighting the concerning rapidity of the outbreak. The doctor emphasized that measles is highly contagious and can spread easily, even within small, close-knit groups of people who have not been vaccinated.
Why is Measles Spreading?
According to the ABC, “measles rates around the world doubled last year, and advanced economies are struggling to contain the disease.” The current Australian outbreak is largely due to unvaccinated travelers who unknowingly bring the virus into the country. These individuals often spread the disease to others before they even realize they are infected.
The resurgence of measles can also be attributed to vaccination hesitancy. In many countries, including Australia, parents who delay or forgo vaccinations have allowed the disease to return after successful immunization campaigns that nearly eradicated it. Social media campaigns run by ‘anti-vaxxers’ have further fueled this hesitancy by spreading misinformation, which has contributed to growing distrust in vaccines. In response, platforms like Facebook have begun imposing penalties against users spreading false information about vaccines.
The WHO flagged “vaccination hesitation” as one of the top global health concerns as early as 2014, and it remains a significant driver of measles outbreaks in places like Japan, New Zealand, and the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US recently reported its worst measles outbreak since 2014, with 465 confirmed cases this year.
Dr. Melissa Stockwell from Columbia University Medical Center told Newsweek, “With this measles epidemic, we are facing a perfect storm: an extremely contagious illness, pockets of unvaccinated people living nearby, and a growing distrust in these communities for vaccines and public-health initiatives.”
What Are the Dangers of Measles?
Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours and can spread by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.
The symptoms of measles include:
- A high fever
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Watery, red eyes
- A cough
- Koplik spots (small, white spots inside the mouth)
- A red, blotchy rash that usually starts on the head and spreads to the rest of the body
While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, the potential complications are far more severe. According to the CDC, measles can lead to the following serious conditions:
- Ear infections: One in 10 children with measles will develop an ear infection, which can result in permanent hearing loss.
- Pneumonia: One in 20 children will develop pneumonia, which is the leading cause of death from measles in young children.
- Encephalitis: One in 1,000 cases results in encephalitis, a swelling of the brain that can cause seizures or leave the child with intellectual disabilities.
- Death: One to two children in every 1,000 who contract measles will die from complications.
- Premature birth or low birth weight: Pregnant women who contract measles are at higher risk of having a baby prematurely or with a low birth weight.
How Can Australians Protect Themselves?
Australia has a relatively high immunization rate, with 93.5% of 2-year-olds being fully vaccinated. However, experts say a 95% vaccination rate is necessary to effectively prevent the spread of measles and protect those with compromised immune systems or infants under 12 months of age.
The Australian Health Minister emphasized in the Sydney Morning Herald that “vaccination saves lives.” For full protection against measles, two doses of the vaccine are recommended. The first dose is typically given at 12 months of age as part of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the second dose is given at 18 months as the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, it’s essential to check with your doctor. In NSW, the vaccine is available free of charge if you haven’t received it yet. It is important to note that receiving the vaccine twice will not cause harm, and anyone uncertain about their immunity should get vaccinated.
What Can You Do to Help Prevent Measles?
NSW Health advises the following steps to protect your family and prevent the spread of measles:
- Ensure that your children receive two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine—the first dose at 12 months and the second at 18 months.
- Discuss travel plans with your GP if your child is aged 9 to 18 months, particularly if you plan to visit areas where measles is prevalent.
- Check your vaccination history if you were born after 1966 and have never had measles. It’s important to ensure that you’ve received two doses of the vaccine, spaced at least four weeks apart.
- Stay at home if infected: If you have measles, you must stay at home until you are no longer contagious to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
By taking these simple steps and maintaining high vaccination coverage, we can reduce the risk of measles outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
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The Measles Virus
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that causes a distinctive red, blotchy skin rash. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in the 1970s, the disease was widespread in Australia. Australia was declared free of measles in 2014, but outbreaks still occur when travelers infected overseas bring the virus into the country.
The measles virus is so contagious that nine out of 10 people who are not immune will contract the disease after being exposed to an infected person. The virus spreads primarily through direct contact with an infected person or through airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Measles?
If you suspect that you or your child has measles, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately. Do not visit the doctor’s office in person, as this could spread the virus to others in the waiting area. Instead, call ahead to discuss your symptoms and ask whether a telehealth consultation or home visit is possible.
Your doctor may recommend a blood test to confirm the diagnosis and will advise you on how to prevent the further spread of the disease. Measles is a reportable disease, meaning your doctor will need to notify local health authorities so they can take action to prevent the outbreak from spreading.
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of measles usually begin 10 days after a person has been infected. They are similar to flu symptoms, lasting 2 to 4 days
- fever
- tiredness
- Severe cough
- conjunctivitis (red eyes)
- Runny nose
- White spots on the lips (also known as Koplik spots).
The rash usually appears between days 3 and 7 after the illness. The rash is usually red, blotchy, and not itchy. The rash usually starts on the head and then spreads to the rest. It lasts between 4 and 7 days.
How Does Measles Spread?
Contact with an infected individual is the main way that measles spreads. This could be:
- Person-to-person communication
- Coughing and sneezing
The virus can remain in the air and spread to others for as long as 2 hours. The virus may be present in the air, or on surfaces.
Measles can be spread very easily. Contagiousness usually begins the day after you start feeling unwell and lasts for 4 days.
Nine out of ten people who do not have immunity to measles can contract it from an infected individual. Immunity to measles is based on:
- Measles vaccination
- Measles is a contagious disease.
Who is at Risk of Measles?
Any age group can be affected by measles if they do not have immunity.
People with weakened immunity systems are more susceptible to:
- Catch measles by being exposed
- Have a serious illness with complications
Measles During Pregnancy
See your doctor if you plan to get pregnant. He will perform a health check. You will also need to be tested for infections such as measles.
- Catching measles while pregnant can increase your risk of miscarriage and preterm labor.
- Vaccination against measles should not be administered during pregnancy.
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When Should I Consult My Doctor?
If you think you may have measles you should call your doctor right away. You shouldn’t go to the clinic because you could spread the virus. Instead, you can ask your doctor about home visits or telehealth. Some people with measles will need to be admitted to hospital. The doctor who diagnoses measles will report the case to local authorities. They will then take steps to prevent or control an outbreak by tracing contacts.
What is the Treatment For Measles?
Measles is not treated by any specific medication or treatment.
You Can Try to Relieve Your Symptoms by Doing the Following:
- Rest well
- Drink lots of fluids
- Take paracetamol if you experience any fever symptoms — but be sure to follow the directions on the package.
You won’t recover from measles with antibiotics because the virus, not bacteria is responsible for the disease. If your symptoms are severe, or you experience complications, you may require hospital treatment.
What Happens if Someone I Have Been in Contact With has Measles and I am exposed to it?
You will be offered measles treatment if you are not immune and have been in close contact with someone who is infected. It is called post-exposure prevention, and it reduces the risk of you getting sick.
Vaccination is usually used for post-exposure prophylaxis of measles. You may receive a medication containing antibodies to measles if you are unable to be vaccinated. These medicines must be taken within 72 hours after exposure to measles to have any effect.
How Can I Protect Myself from Measles
Vaccination prevents measles the best.
The measles vaccination is part of a combined vaccine for:
- measles-mumps-rubella (known as MMR)
- measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (known as MMR-V)
Both vaccines are highly effective and share similar side effects. Your doctor will be able to tell you which vaccine is best for you.
In Australia, two measles vaccines are 98% effective in preventing infection.
Measles Vaccination: Highly Recommended for the Unimmune
- Who works in childcare?
- Who works in aged care?
- Who works in healthcare?
- Who is traveling?
The Vaccination Against Measles Should Not be Administered To:
- Pregnant women
- People with a weak immune system
