According to the World Health Organisation, Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that affects humans. The disease is spread through direct contact with an infected individual, coughing or sneezing, and direct contact with infectious body fluids (World Health Organization, 2016). Between 2013 and 2015, there was a measles outbreak in Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. In Solomon Islands, the disease was first reported in July 2014, after a return traveler from Papua New Guinea was discovered to be suffering from the disease.
According to the World Health Organization, the measles outbreak started in Papua New Guinea in December 2013. Notably, Papua New Guinea has several challenges in delivering health services (World Health Organization, 2014). Therefore, it is possible that the country had been battling measles cases before the outbreak. On the other hand, Vanuatu had low immunization rates before the outbreak hit the country in November 2014 (Whitman, 2015). The situation was worsened by the 2015 Cyclone, since people were living in crowded areas, increasing the risk of infection (UNICEF, 2015). At local level, medics relied on rumors from individuals visiting hospitals and markets to gather information about the outbreak. Nursing staff at the outreach clinics also played an important role in gathering information about the measles outbreak. The suspected cases would then be reported to the Out-Patient Departments in hospitals, who would then seek to clinically verify whether the cases were infected with measles. The information gathered in satellite clinics and local hospitals was then combined to determine the most affected provinces. From the reports, Honiara region was the most affected. The information gathered from the different regions was used by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, through the National Surveillance Unit to decide the next course of action. In August 2014, the government, in conjunction with other organizations, launched a nationwide measles vaccination.
Measles starts with symptoms of fever, cough, sour throat, runny nose, and red eyes. Late, the affected person’s body is covered with a rash. Direct contact with an infected person can lead to infection. Coming into contact with infected body fluids, or inhaling the virus can also lead to infection. During the outbreak, a total of 4563 infection cases and nine deaths were reported in Solomon Islands (Diau J et al, 2015). In Papua New Guinea, 2576 cases of infection were reported (World Health Organization, Western Pacific Region).
Over 15,000 cases of measles were reported in Vanuatu in 2014 (Whitman, 2015). Measles is highly contagious and weak health delivery systems in Papua New Guinea, and the storm that hit Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu contributed to the spread of the outbreak. The storm forced people to live in crowded areas, therefore, increasing chances of spreading measles. For instance, the measles immunization levels in Vanuatu were low, exposing children who had not been immunized against the deadly disease to possible infection. Travelers from affected areas also contributed to the outbreak, as it was the case in Solomon Islands.
There are several risk factors associated with the spread of measles. For example, lack of immunization against the disease is the main cause of measles-related fatalities. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one dose measles vaccine is 93% effective, while two doses of the vaccines are 97% effective. The Center advice international travelers to be up-to-date with the measles vaccine. Avoiding crowded areas can also play a role in minimizing chances of infection.
There are possible effects that could be experienced if a similar outbreak took place in the neighborhood. The economic effects could be too vivid to be overlooked. To fight the outbreak, it would be important to allocate human resources, funds, and time, which would have otherwise been used for development purpose. In some cases, funds may be diverted from other projects to fight the outbreak. Such outbreaks could also lead to deaths.
In conclusion, to minimize chances of measles occurring, it is important for every child to be given the measles vaccine. The vaccine is likely to boost the immunity of the child against measles, therefore, lowering chances of infection. In addition, adults who are perceived to have low immunity against the disease should also be immunized. International travelers should also be immunized against measles, if they are suspected to have low immunity against the highly contagious infection. It is the role of all caregivers and parents to ensure that their children are protected against measles. The community should also report any suspected case of measles to the medics, for appropriate action to be taken (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016).
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html. Retrieved July 29, 2016, from www.cdc.gov: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html
Diau J et al. Measles outbreak investigation in a remote area of Solomon Islands, 2014. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response Journal, 2015, 6(3). doi:10.5365/wpsar.2015.6.2.001
UNICEF. (2015, March 17). www.unicef.org/media/media_81303.html. Retrieved July 29, 2016, from www.unicef.org: http://www.unicef.org/media/media_81303.html
Whitman, E. (2015, March 17). www.ibtimes.com/vanuatu-cyclone-pam-measles-vaccination-campaign-begins-amid-concerns-over-outbreak-1850602. Retrieved July 2016, 2016, from www.ibtimes.com: http://www.ibtimes.com/vanuatu-cyclone-pam-measles-vaccination-campaign-begins-amid-concerns-over-outbreak-1850602
World Health Organization. (2014, May). www.who.int. Retrieved July 29, 2016, from www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccsbrief_png_en.pdf: http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperation_strategy/ccsbrief_png_en.pdf
World Health Organization. (2016). www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/. Retrieved July 29, 2016, from www.who.int: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/
World Health Organization, Western Pacific Region. (n.d.). www.wpro.who.int/immunization/documents/measles_country_profile_mar2015_png.pdf. Retrieved July 29, 2016, from www.wpro.who.int: http://www.wpro.who.int/immunization/documents/measles_country_profile_mar2015_png.pdf
