65 contacts in measles outbreak identified; no symptoms
In addition to measles vaccine, the nation mandates two doses of MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed on Sunday that 65 people have been identified as contacts of the child diagnosed with measles in Addu and none of them have tested positive for the virus so far.
A child was diagnosed with measles, which is a disease declared eradicated in the Maldives and was declared as an outbreak on Monday.
Contact tracing of the child with measles and community survey of the area where the case was detected have been carried out. Those who have not received two doses of measles vaccine in the area have been vaccinated, HPA said.
None of those identified as contacts tested positive for the virus.
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The infected child and his contacts were fully vaccinated
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The community survey collected data from 41 individuals, including 16 homes and shops;
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After the survey, 19 persons were vaccinated
In addition to measles vaccine, the nation mandates two doses of MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
Since measles has been eradicated in the Maldives, health care providers are conducting tests for the disease in accordance with the agency's surveillance standards.
Symptoms of measles:
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Fever
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Skin rash
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Cough
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Runny nose
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Red/watery eyes
