Measles is a condition we all have at least heard about. It is a highly infectious viral disease, typically occurring during one’s childhood years. This condition has affected humans since the early years of the 4th century BC. However, it is only in recent times that the disease has become less commonplace due to immunization. There are other complications associated with this disease, including diarrhea, pneumonia, and ear infections. Today, measles has again made it to the headlines as the world closely monitors for an upcoming outbreak. In this article, we will discuss this in detail along with a strategic response plan for your family to follow.
The Likelihood of a Measles Outbreak and Vulnerable Parties
Many people still consider measles to be a disease of the bygone era. If one were to bring up an outbreak, they’d ask, “Did we not get rid of it already?” It turns out that the unthinkable may happen anytime. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 13 cases of measles in 2024. Also, 68% of these cases are associated with an outbreak. The figures in 2023 were 4 and 49% respectively. Is this the harbinger of our worst nightmares? Children are considered the highest risk group, especially those who are still not vaccinated against the disease. Even now, we’re not off to a great start but preparation, prevention, and quick response are the need of the hour at national and individual levels.
First Priority Area: Coordination
This aspect is usually taken care of at the regional, state, and national levels. Care coordination in healthcare is all about organizing patient care activities and imparting proper education on the subject at hand. Since we’re talking about a measles outbreak, let’s see how the first priority area would work. It would typically involve multiple participants, including family caregivers, physicians, nurses, social workers, and pharmacists. This chain will be closely interlinked and depend on one another to achieve the common goal of outbreak prevention. For instance – nurses, especially family care practitioners, can educate people of all ages regarding their vulnerabilities to a measles outbreak. They can choose different places to spread the word, including schools, community centers, and geriatric care facilities.
According to Rockhurst University, family nurses with advanced skills may even participate in investigating alternative and complementary therapeutics. This means they can prescribe measles medicines to children and adults alike. By advanced, we mean these professionals have been trained via offline or online post-master’s FNP programs that include the study of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. As a result, such nurses possess a thorough knowledge of how certain drugs move and interact with the bodies of patients belonging to different age groups. The most vulnerable groups will usually be recommended for the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. As per the Cleveland Clinic, this vaccine can prevent measles even when administered within three days of contracting the virus.
Second Priority Area: Prevention
What we discussed in the previous section involved collective measures at broader levels of society. These will only work when proper care is taken at the individual levels. This means actual disease prevention is as much in the hands of the parents as the city officials and healthcare professionals. The first thing to do would undoubtedly be to immunize your child, starting at the age of 12 or 15 months. This is the first age range when a child must receive the MMR vaccine. A second dose may be required at the age of four or six years. An additional third dose becomes necessary for high-risk children with poor immune systems.
Though the vaccine is found to be 95% effective in preventing measles contraction, it alone is not the answer. Parents can support their children in other ways as well, including encouraging regular hand-washing and practicing safe social etiquette. In other words, hand hygiene rituals should be practiced for at least 15 to 20 seconds with an anti-germ soap and water. Children must be encouraged to wash their hands before a meal, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing. They must be instructed to avoid close physical contact with those who are sick with measles. Parents must check with their child’s school to ensure proper measures are in place to prevent an outbreak.
Third Priority Area: Preparation
News outlets, including the esteemed BBC, report that countries are closely monitoring the situation for a measles outbreak. International travel is a major threat, especially the Summer Olympics in Paris. Besides prevention, it is also time to prepare in case the disease does show up in your family. Start by canceling any abroad travel plans for the second half of this year. If you haven’t made any plans yet, do not make them now.
Also, parents must be aware of the early signs of the disease so they can identify them on time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a flat red rash all over the body. Finally, read the next section carefully to ensure your child receives the medical assistance they need to recover should the unfortunate happen.
Outbreak Response and Recovery
As mentioned above, parents need to know about the earliest signs and symptoms of measles. Though the rash is a distinct sign, others like fever and cough may mimic the flu. If it is suspected that the child may have contracted measles, it’s time to spring into action. A reliable medical practitioner must be contacted immediately. In truth, there is no specific treatment or cure for the disease. The only viable response is to let the virus run its course. However, the child may have to be isolated to prevent a community outbreak. Other than that, some ways to take care of the child at home include keeping them well hydrated, giving medicines on time, and allowing them to rest a lot. In most cases, the child will recover from measles at home itself within two to three weeks. Only severe cases would require hospitalization.
In closing, we would like to emphasize the prevention part. It has been discovered that 97% of those who have received both shots of the measles vaccine never contract the disease. If your child is well-immunized, the worry factor is significantly reduced. In case you’re unsure, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider to check the odds. An additional vaccine won’t hurt since the body only reacts as if exposed to the virus. Think through the response plan discussed in this article and stay prepared to beat the rising odds
