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San José, Feb. 21 (ElPaís.cr) .- Costa Rica's Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, announced that the health ministry authorities were conducting a nationwide research after recording three cases of measles, which have been discovered. in isolation to avoid infections.
Given the three cases of measles detected in a French family visiting our country, we call on families to bring children aged 1 to 3 months and 10 years to be vaccinated at the nearest health centers.
It is recalled that the symptoms of measles are: fever, cough, conjunctivitis and rash that starts on the face, explained the health official.
In addition, the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) reported that teams of primary health care technical badistants (Ataps) were developing aintense search for all children who are not yet protected with an extraordinary dose against measles
This task involves the revision of databases, telephone calls, home visits, nutrition centers, education and comprehensive care (CEN-CINAI), educational centers aimed at finding minors who n & # 39; Have not yet been protected. This phase will end on March 31st. for this extraordinary protection, the CCSS acquired 770 000 doses of vaccine, which represents an investment of 1.2 million dollars.
Currently, according to data provided by the CCSS vaccination program, 86% of the target population (children over 15 months to less than 10 years old) has already been vaccinated against this deadly disease that is spread by different countries of the world.
It is precisely the World Health Organization (WHO) that has alerted various countries about the urgency of vaccinating the population against the circulation of the measles virus. This is the reason why in Costa Rica the decision was made to do it. extraordinary vaccination against measles.
According to the WHO, by mid-January, about 229,000 cases of measles had been recorded worldwide, representing an increase of nearly 50% compared to cases presented in 2017.
Katrina Kretsinger, MD, WHO Expanded Program on Immunization, reported on epidemics in Ukraine, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad and Sierra Leone.
According to the specialist, unvaccinated children are the poorest, those who live in the most marginalized communities and who may be refugee and migrant children.
In Costa Rica, this day of vaccination began on December 12 with a phase of vaccination of children in vaccinations of the CCSS distributed throughout the national territory and ending February 8 last.
A second phase is under development. It consists of an active search for unprotected minors and who will adapt to the conditions of each sector, added a report of the CCSS.
On this extraordinary vaccination against measles, the Minister of Health, Daniel Salas Peraza, congratulated the Atap because the percentage of vaccination attained up to now testifies to the mystique and commitment to the public health. That said, we should be proud.
He pointed out that the Atap constitute a health army that crisscrosses the country in search of children to vaccinate. As Minister of Health, he was extremely proud of the fact that there are so many people involved in public health at headquarters, in Ebáis clinics and hospitals, who strive to ensure the best possible health for the people of Costa Rica.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and particularly affects the infant population. It is transmitted by droplets transmitted by the air or by direct contact with the secretions of the nose, mouth and throat of infected persons.
The symptoms consist of a high fever, a generalized rash all over the body, nasal congestion, red eyes. It can lead to serious complications such as blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia, especially in children with nutritional problems and immunocompromised patients.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by viruses that easily spread through the air through drops from the nose, mouth or pharynx (such as coughing and sneezing) of infected people.
The symptoms of this disease usually begin between 8 and 12 days after exposure to the virus and are among the most common:
- Rashes on the skin, which usually start in the head and spread to other areas, descending along the body.
- itching
- Red and watery eyes
- Cough
- High fever
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Muscle pain
- Redness and swelling of the eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Small white spots inside the mouth (Koplik spots)
These symptoms can lead to serious complications in all age groups. However, children under 5 and adults over 20 are more likely to have complications.
Common complications caused by measles include ear infections and diarrhea. Other complications can also occur, such as pneumonia (lung infection), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and blindness. These complications can even cause death.
In the case of pregnant women, measles can cause premature pregnancy and the birth of a low birth weight baby.
Measles is a highly contagious disease for which there is no specific treatment; That is why it is important to protect children from this disease by vaccination.
In Costa Rica, measles vaccine is included in the system proposed by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund as part of measles, rubella and mumps protection.
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