What are the most efficient measures in measles control?
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious complications and even death. Measles control is a public health priority to prevent outbreaks and achieve global elimination of the disease. The most effective measure to prevent measles is vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides more than 97% protection against measles after two doses . The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all countries achieve at least 95% coverage of two doses of MMR vaccine in every district or equivalent administrative unit .
In addition to vaccination, measles control also requires early detection and notification of suspected cases, prompt isolation of infectious cases, and timely identification and management of contacts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare facilities should implement infection prevention and control measures to prevent transmission of measles among patients, healthcare personnel, and visitors . These measures include ensuring presumptive evidence of immunity for healthcare personnel, rapidly identifying and isolating patients with known or suspected measles, adhering to standard and airborne precautions, promoting respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, and managing exposed and ill healthcare personnel .
Contacts of measles cases who are not immune should be offered post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or quarantine, depending on the type and timing of exposure. PEP can be either MMR vaccine or immunoglobulin (IG), depending on the age and health status of the contact, and the interval between exposure and administration of PEP . MMR vaccine can be given within 72 hours of exposure to provide protection or modify the clinical course of disease, while IG can be given within six days of exposure to provide temporary protection . Contacts who do not receive PEP should be quarantined for 21 days after the last exposure to prevent further spread of the disease .
This research paper aims to provide an overview of the current evidence and best practices for measles control, with a focus on vaccination, case management, contact tracing, PEP, and quarantine. The paper will also discuss the challenges and barriers to achieving measles elimination, as well as the potential strategies and solutions to overcome them.
References:
: Measles Prevention – Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-prevent-measles-2633847
: Measles vaccines: WHO position paper – April 2017. https://www.who.int/immunization/policy/position_papers/measles/en/
: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/measles/index.html
: Measles control guideline – Control guidelines – NSW Health. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/controlguideline/Pages/measles.aspx
: Measles Elimination in the U.S. | CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/elimination.html
