Measles-Rubella Campaign

Measles-Rubella Campaign
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Highlights

India, along with ten other WHO South East Asia Region member countries, have rolled out the second phase Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign.  This is part of their resolve to eliminate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020. Measles, or rubeola, is a viral infection of the respiratory system. Measles is a very contagious disease that can spread through contact with infec

India, along with ten other WHO South East Asia Region member countries, have rolled out the second phase Measles-Rubella (MR) Campaign. This is part of their resolve to eliminate measles and control rubella/congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2020. Measles, or rubeola, is a viral infection of the respiratory system. Measles is a very contagious disease that can spread through contact with infected mucus and saliva.

An infected person can release the infection into the air when they cough or sneeze. Symptoms include: cough, fever, red eyes, light sensitivity, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat, and white spots inside the mouth A widespread skin rash is a classic sign of measles. This rash can last up to seven days and generally appears within the first three to five days of exposure to the virus.

A measles rash, which appears as red, itchy bumps, commonly develops on the head and slowly spreads to other parts of the body, writes http://www.healthline.com. Rubella is an infection caused by the rubella virus; it can cause severe harm to the unborn child. The number of rubella cases has fallen dramatically, thanks to vaccination programs, but the battle against this infection is not yet won.

The symptoms of rubella (also known as German measles) are often so mild that more than half of people with the infection do not even notice that they have contracted it. However, rubella contracted during early pregnancy can cause substantial negative outcomes for the unborn child. This is known as congenital rubella syndrome. Rubella is a preventable disease; the vaccine is often given in conjunction with measles and mumps (MMR vaccine), according to medicalnewstoday.com.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has initiated measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign in the age group of 9 months to less than 15 years in a phased manner across the nation. MR vaccine will become a part of routine immunization and will replace measles vaccine, currently given at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age of child.

The first phase of measles-rubella vaccination campaign has been successfully completed in five states, namely, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Lakshadweep and Puducherry. The next round is on in 8 states/UTs (Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana and Uttarakhand).

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