To hear things like a measles epidemic in Asia is quite an eyebrow- raiser. The turmoil for patients and stigma for a nation due to epidemic is certainly challenging. Immunization shots are vital to avoid diseases like measles and create individual and herd immunity (resistance to disease). When health care systems and the general economy go sluggish, there rises the problems of epidemics. Proactive vigil is as important as prompt action in matters of healthcare to avoid disturbing incidents such as a measles epidemic.
Another vital point to note is that of under-nutrition: a severe risk factor compounding the mortality rate is malnutrition.
Why this measles epidemic in Bangladesh?
Before the epidemic, Bangladesh's coverage slipped to roughly 86% for the first dose and 80% for the second dose. This minor-looking percentage drop created a quiet accumulation of completely unvaccinated ("zero-dose") children over 4 to 5 years. Once the virus was reintroduced, this pool of vulnerable children acted as fuel for the explosive outbreak. Public health requires a strict 95% vaccination coverage rate of both doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine to maintain herd immunity.
It is said the trinity of HEALTH, WEALTH AND WISDOM are the real pursuits of humankind. In the case of current measles epidemic in Bangladesh, health focus has taken a toss.
Why this episode of measles epidemic is dangerous in Bangladesh?
Measles does not just cause a rash and fever; it actively destroys the body's defenses. It induces "immune amnesia," wiping out a child's previously acquired antibodies to other diseases, leaving them vulnerable to other infections for months or years.
Take a lesson from this epidemic measles @ Bangladesh and let us all focus on proper healthcare practices, because ill-health knows no political borders: from Dr. Sunil S Chiplunkar M Pharm PhD MBA PGHDRM
No comments:
Post a Comment