Measles outbreak 2023

Measles is one of the most contagious human pathogens known.

Transmission: Airborne, person to person and surfaces

Highly contagious

Infectiousness period: 5 days before the rash and up until 4 days after rash

Patients at greatest risk: not yet fully vaccinated, less than 5 years of age, immune compromised.

Clinical features:

 

Prodrome of 2-4 days of fever and malaise. Followed by  conjunctivitis,cough and coryza.

Then about 4 days after fever , rash – morbilliform appears on the face classically and spreads centrifugally

Lasts about a week – rash

Cough may persist for one or two weeks

 

Complications:

Pneumonia

Encephalitis

Diarrhoea – most common

Otitis media

Xeropthalmia and blindness

 

Treatment and prevention

None specific – Measles vaccine can be given as post exposure prophylaxis if given within 3 days.

If vaccination is contraindicated Measles Immune Globulin may be used for PEP within 6 days

Vitamin A must be given to all children contracting measles to prevent blindness

 

Please note measles is notifibale and forms are available via NICD website .