A disease that was believed to have been completely eradicated ( measles ) returned to the fore. And there has been a great deal of data, comments, impressions, emotions and fears about vaccinations.
We simply try to take stock of the situation to see if it really is a measles epidemic.
Measles: is it really an epidemic?
With due caution, let us always rely on official sources to deal with complicated situations. In our case the references are institutional: the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health .
The answer to our question is clear: it is an epidemic. Without alarmism, though: it's an epidemic, not an emergency! Epidemic is a medical term that indicates the "rapid propagation of an infectious, contagious disease in a population, in which many individuals are affected simultaneously".
An observatory has been established to monitor the measles propagation and the data, updated at the end of July 2017, tell us that from January 2017:
> 4001 are the cases reported since the beginning of the year (including 3 deaths);
> almost all the Regions (18/21) reported cases, but 90% come from only seven regions: Piedmont, Lazio, Lombardy, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto and Sicily;
> 89% of the cases were unvaccinated and 6% received only one dose of vaccine.
Measles, historical notes:
Some historical and scientific data on the measles epidemic :
> From 1970 to the end of the 1990s, measles showed a cyclical trend with very high diffusion peaks. With the increase in vaccination coverage, since the beginning of the 2000s, the amplitude of the peaks has decreased considerably. However, the disease continues to circulate in our country and epidemics occur periodically.
> The international guidelines of the WHO (World Health Organization) plan to improve the integrated surveillance of measles and rubella in view of the objective of eliminating these diseases.
> There are dangers related to the infection of measles in particular situations : measles can be dangerous in people already debilitated or suffering from chronic diseases and can be complicated with otitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, encephalitis (affects 1 patient in 1000, is more rare but in some cases it can be fulminant and cause death).
Very rare, even if it does exist, the subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is reported as a complication. Complications are relatively rare, but it is still responsible for a number between 30 and 100 deaths per 100, 000 people affected.
> Public health experts have the task of ensuring that the percentage of immune subjects is high enough.
Without going into the merits of vaccinations, we report the WHO definition of " herd immunity " by recalling the above or that there are particular categories of people for whom infection with measles could be fatal: "the herd immunity describes the immunity that is obtained when the vaccination of a portion of the population (the "herd", sometimes even less than 100% of the population) offers protection to unprotected individuals. "
Measles: what is it?
For completeness of information, we generally review the general information on measles:
> What it is: Measles is an infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Morbillivirus, it is a very contagious disease that often affects children between 1 and 3 years old, so it is called infantile. It is transmitted only in humans. The sick are isolated during the period of infection.
> What symptoms it presents: the first symptoms are similar to those of a cold with a fever which, however, becomes increasingly higher . Subsequently white dots appear inside the mouth . After 3-4 days, a characteristic rash appears (exanthema), of small bright red spots, first behind the ears and on the face, and then on the rest of the body. The eruption lasts 4 to 7 days and disappears starting at the neck.
> Where it is most common: Measles is widespread throughout the world, it is one of the most frequent eruptive fevers . In temperate climate countries, it affects children towards the end of winter and spring.
> Once contracted, measles gives a theoretically definitive immunization, so you will no longer get sick for life.
> Measles is one of the most easily transmitted diseases. The infection takes place through the nasal and pharyngeal secretions, probably by air when the patient coughs or sneezes.
> There is no specific treatment for measles. The symptoms can be treated but not the cause.
