Measles and Rubella (MR)
2023 JAN 24
Preliminary >
Social Justice > Health > Diseases
Why in news?
- India had set a target to eliminate measles and rubella (MR) by 2023, having missed the earlier deadline of 2020, due to a variety of reasons, exacerbated by disruptions due to the pandemic.
About Measles:
- Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness.
- Measles is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype. It is classified as a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family.
- Humans are the only natural hosts of measles virus.
- It is particularly dangerous for children from the economically weaker background, as it attacks malnourished children and those with reduced immunity.
- It can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia.
- Transmission:
- Measles is one of the most contagious of all infectious diseases; up to 9 out of 10 susceptible persons with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles.
- The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.
About Rubella:
- It is also called German Measles.
- Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.
- It is caused by the rubella virus which is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus.
- Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which causes irreversible birth defects.
- Rubella isn't the same as measles, but the two illnesses share some signs and symptoms, such as the red rash.
- Rubella is caused by a different virus than measles, and rubella isn't as infectious or as severe as measles.
Vaccination:
- Measles and rubella can be prevented with measles/rubella-containing vaccine, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
- During 2017–2021, India adopted a national strategic plan for measles and rubella elimination.
- During the same period, the Government introduced rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) into the routine immunisation programme.
PRACTICE QUESTION:
Consider the following statements regarding Measles:
1. India has eliminated Measles disease among children in 2020.
2.Measles is a highly contagious viral disease.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer