What causes mhezi

What is Mhezi (Measles)?

Mhezi, or measles, is a serious, highly contagious infectious disease that can cause significant illness. Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, it was a common childhood illness worldwide. It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family, specifically the measles virus.

How is Measles Transmitted?

The measles virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected respiratory droplets or through airborne transmission. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, they expel tiny droplets containing the virus into the air. These droplets can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left an area. Anyone who is not immune (has not been vaccinated or had measles before) can become infected by breathing in the virus or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Measles is extremely contagious. It is estimated that if one person has measles, 90% of the people close to that person who are not immune will also get infected. An infected person can spread measles from four days before the rash appears to four days after the rash erupts.

What are the Symptoms of Measles?

The incubation period for measles is typically 10 to 12 days from exposure to the first symptom. The illness usually progresses in stages:

• Prodromal Stage: The first symptoms usually include a high fever, which can be as high as 104°F (40°C), followed by a cough, runny nose (coryza), and red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis). These are often referred to as the 'three Cs': cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. Small red spots with white centers, known as Koplik spots, may appear inside the mouth on the lining of the cheeks, usually 1-2 days before the rash.
• Rash Stage: A characteristic measles rash usually appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms begin. It typically starts as flat red spots on the face, often at the hairline and behind the ears. The rash then spreads downwards to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet, usually appearing in blotchy patches that can become confluent (merge together). The fever may spike again during this stage.
• Recovery Stage: The rash typically fades in the order it appeared, starting from the head and working its way down, over about a week. The cough and other symptoms may linger for a while.

What are the Complications of Measles?

While measles is often a self-limiting illness, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. These complications include:

• Ear Infections: About one in ten children with measles will develop an ear infection (otitis media), which can sometimes lead to permanent hearing loss.
• Diarrhea: Measles can cause severe diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.
• Pneumonia: This is the most common cause of death from measles in young children. About 1 in 20 children with measles gets pneumonia.
• Encephalitis: About 1 in 1,000 cases of measles develops a brain inflammation called encephalitis. It can cause permanent brain damage or death.
• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE): This is a rare, fatal degenerative disease of the central nervous system that can occur months or years after measles infection.
• Pregnancy complications: Measles can cause premature birth or low birth weight in infants when contracted by pregnant women.

Prevention of Measles

The most effective way to prevent measles is through vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective and safe. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide about 97% protection against measles for a lifetime. The first dose is typically given at 12-15 months of age, and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. Public health efforts have significantly reduced measles cases globally, but outbreaks can still occur in communities with low vaccination rates.