Context:
South East Asia Region countries set a new target to eliminate measles and rubella from the region by 2026
Measles:
- Highly contagious airborne disease caused by virus
- Spread through direct contact and air.
- Risk – Unvaccinated individuals, especially young children and pregnant persons, are at high risk.
- Treatment – No specific antiviral treatment.
- Elimination Criteria – No endemic transmission in a region for over 12 months.
- If the virus reappears and spreads continuously for over a year, the area is no longer considered measles-free.
Rubella:
- Also called German Measles.
- Contagious, generally mild viral infection
- Occurs most often in children and young adults.
- Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which causes irreversible birth defects.
- Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI)– Partnership formed in 2001 involving the American Red Cross, UN Foundation, UNICEF, and WHO
Read more about Measles and Vaccines
Source: WHO
Previous Year Question
H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2015 Prelims]
(a) AIDS
(b) Bird flu
(c) Dengue
(d) Swine flu
Answer: (d)
