Dr Byran Betty: Do we need to be concerned about measles?

<p><strong>Why do we need to be concerned?</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Low vaccination rates especially Māori and pacific in certain parts of the country.</li> <li>With boarders open high risk of being introduced – comes from overseas.</li> <li>Many think of it as harmless – it’s not. 80 children died in outbreak prior to COVID.</li> <li>1:10 with measles end up in hospital.</li> <li>Around the world kills more than 200,000 mainly young children</li> </ul> <p><strong>What is it?</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Viral illness.</li> <li>Highly infectious – spread through the air, cough sneezing. 1person will spread to 15 others</li> <li>If you are in a room with someone with measles highly likely to get it. Spreads like wildfire.</li> <li>Antibiotics don’t treat!</li> </ul> <p><strong>What symptoms do children get?</strong> </p> <ul> <li>First few days: Temperature, runny nose, cough, sore pink eyes – highly infectious during this time.</li> <li>May get white spots in mouth.</li> <li>3 to 7 days: Then rash starts head/face – spreads to body.</li> <li>More severe complications: can cause ear infection, seizures, pneumonia – lung infection. 1:1000 can get brain swelling.</li> </ul> <p><strong>What do we do?</strong> </p> <ul> <li>Treatment – pain relief, plenty fluids, staying home not spreading.</li> <li>With more severe measles 1:10 hospitalised</li> <li>Low vaccination rate in children mean our babies less than 12 months have no protection.</li> <li>Vaccination from 12 months only protection: 99% effective with two doses.</li> </ul> <p>  </p> <p> </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>