By: Anabela Cotovio
Measles is a highly infectious disease caused by the rubeola virus (Gill, 2017). Symptoms are deceiving at first because of its close resemblance to a normal cold, including watery eyes, sneezing, and a dry cough (Nordqvist, 2017). Outbreaks are common due to its airborne transmission, putting susceptible individuals (mainly children and seniors) at risk of developing the disease (Bottino, 2019). On February 22nd, 2019, 10 new measles cases were diagnosed in B.C., which is a huge cause for concern because of the rate at which it can spread throughout the population (The Canadian Press, 2019). This recent outbreak highlighted the importance for immunization against the virus. The department of mathematics and statistics at McMaster University published a paper on the analysis of the transmission rate of measles (Lange, 2016). Disease-related mortality data was collected from England and Wales, 1948–1967. To provide mathematical analysis, differential equations were used to model time evolution of the disease. The results had shown that one of the most common measles strain was circulating in the population for many months before the pandemic was initiated (Lange, 2016). It also delved into the fact that once a pandemic is in effect, the rate of transmission for spreading the disease becomes very high and extremely difficult to control. The data can be used by epidemiologists and researchers, in any geographical location, to know when to take preventative measures before the point at which an epidemic can erupt.
The Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology stated that research in infection prevention response is extremely beneficial for combating and containing the spread of measles (Bottino,2019). The MMR vaccine, which is given to a child under a parent’s consent, is 97% effective at preventing measles. The problem with those who are unvaccinated is that they can travel abroad and pose a risk to others by continuing the spread of disease. In the article concerning the measles outbreak in B.C., the first objective was to track down and contain those infected. By analyzing the infection prevention response, researchers are able to develop drugs that are more efficient and effective at combating such harmful epidemics.
References
Bottino, Barry. “Measles Outbreak Study Finds Infection Prevention Beneficial.” Nursing News, Stories & Articles, 13 Feb. 2019, www.nurse.com/blog/2019/02/12/measles-outbreak-study-finds-infection-prevention-response-beneficial/.
Lange, Alexander. “Reconstruction of Disease Transmission Rates: Applications to Measles, Dengue, and Influenza.” NeuroImage, Academic Press, 20 Apr. 2016, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022519316300455?via=ihub.
Nordqvist, Christian. “Measles: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 15 May 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37135.php.
The Canadian Press. “Now 10 Cases of Measles Diagnosed in B.C. Outbreak, Vaccinations Way Up.” CTVNews, 23 Feb. 2019, www.ctvnews.ca/health/now-10-cases-of-measles-diagnosed-in-b-c-outbreak-vaccinations-way-up-1.4309298.
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