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Since the beginning of 2019, there has been a large number of new measles cases around the world. This outbreak has alarmed the public and especially people traveling. In Hong Kong, the majority of the reported measles cases involve people who work or transit through the Hong Kong airport (pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers, custom officers…). By April 29, the number of people affected by measles in Hong Kong this year reached 75.
Healthy Matters brings you a doctor-reviewed guide to measles in Hong Kong so you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.
Usually, measles will start with high fever (around 40C or 104F) and will last 4 to 7 days. Then you may develop the following symptoms:
Around 2 to 4 days after the first symptoms, the measles rash will appear. It will last about 1 week. It will usually first appear on the hairline or the neck and will spread through the rest of the body.
The rash is a very typical feature of measles. It looks like small red to brown flat spots that may come together into larger patches and they might be itchy.
The measles virus is located in the mucus from the throat and nose. This means infected people will spread it by simply talking or coughing. The virus will then stay active for 2 hours in the air or on the surface where it was spread. Any person touching an infected surface or breathing the infected air during that window of time, will have a 90% chance of being infected if they haven’t been immune.
Once someone has been in contact with the virus, the incubation period usually ranges from 7 to 18 days.
Measles can be a very serious disease, with 30% of reported cases experiencing one or more complications. In the US, death occurs in 2-3 per 1,000 cases.
Here is a list of the most common complications that may occur:
Here is a list of the less common, but most serious, complications that may occur:
Pregnant women:
If a pregnant woman is not immune to measles, there are serious risks for her baby. The major risks are:
Children below one year of age:
Children less than 1-year-old are more likely to get infected since they have not been vaccinated yet or only had one injection.
People with impaired immunity:
People suffering from diseases impairing immunity might not be able to fight the virus. Hence there are more likely to present one of the serious complications mentioned above. People with AIDS, people who had transplants or cancer treatment should be very careful regarding measles.
Because measles is a virus, it cannot be treated with medicine. People with measles need bed rest and to drink plenty of fluids in order to help the body to fight it. The condition of the person affected will usually get better after 7 to 10 days.
If you suspect that you could have measles you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
However, make sure to call your doctor ahead to explain the situation, in order to avoid going to his/her practice and accidentally spreading the virus to others.
The suspicion of being infected may come from only being in contact with someone having measles. This applies even if you do not have any symptoms yet and if you have any doubt about whether you are immune.
Measles is diagnosed by a combination of the symptoms and blood tests by your doctor.
No, it is impossible. Once you had it, your body has developed the antibodies and you are therefore immune.
The MMR vaccine remains the best way to prevent measles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1967, but at that time only one injection was done. Since 1996 two doses are recommended for better protection.
In Hong Kong, the first injection is done at 1 year old and the second at 6. However, due to the recent outbreak of measles cases, the Department of Health is considering administering the second dose at 18 months. This will help ensure early protection, according to the World Health Organisation. Other places such as Europe and Australia are already administering the first MMR at 12 months and the second at 18 months.
The Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine is 90-95% effective after the first dose and 97% effective after the second dose. It will take around 2 weeks after the vaccination for the body to develop the antibodies.
Be aware that pregnant women cannot get the vaccine.
The Centre for Health Protection, an arm of the Department of Health in Hong Kong, provides a set of advice in order to prevent measles. They recommend to:
People born before 1967:
People born between 1967 and 1977:
People born between 1978 and 1984:
People born in 1985 or after:
If you have any doubt about being immune or not, please consult your doctor for advice. It will be possible to do a measles serology test in a laboratory. In any case, having the vaccine again will not cause any harm.
Because of the recent, rapid increase of measles cases, the Department of Health recommends the following:
Centre for health protection, Department of Health – Measles
Family Health Service, Department of Health – The MMR Vaccine
The Immunization Action Coalition – Measles Vaccine
Maternal Child Health Centre for your child
Reviewed by Dr. Mei Mei Yip 葉美美醫生. Doctor Yip works at OT&P Child Women and Health Clinic, Central. She trained and specialized in pediatrics at the University Pediatrics and Adolescent Unit at Queen Mary Hospital. She became a Member of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, UK in 2006. During this time, she also obtained her Diploma in Child Health and is certified for the Griffiths Mental Development assessment. She gained her Diploma in Advances in Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2014.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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