Mongolia’s measles cases have risen to 13,861 with 8 new local infections reported in the last 24 hours, as per the country’s National Centre for Communicable Diseases (NCCD). The NCCD highlighted that over half of these new cases were in school-age children who had received only one dose of the measles vaccine. To safeguard children from this severe disease, the NCCD recommended administering two doses of the measles vaccine, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, spreads easily through infected individuals’ respiratory droplets. It can lead to severe illness, complications, and even fatalities. While anyone can contract measles, it is more prevalent in children. The infection starts in the respiratory tract and then progresses throughout the body, manifesting symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose, and a body-wide rash.
Vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure against measles infection and transmission. The vaccine is safe and aids the body in combating the virus. Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and its widespread use, major outbreaks occurred every two to three years, resulting in around 2.6 million deaths annually.
In 2023, an estimated 107,500 individuals, primarily children under five years old, succumbed to measles despite the availability of a safe and affordable vaccine. Measles symptoms typically appear 10–14 days post-exposure, with a distinct rash being a prominent indicator. Initial symptoms last for 4–7 days and include a runny nose, cough, red eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks.
The rash typically emerges 7–18 days after exposure, starting on the face and upper neck before spreading to the hands and feet over 3 days. It usually persists for 5–6 days before fading away.
