The Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging Barbadians to take all precautions to prevent the spread of measles within the population after the Region of the Americas, which includes Barbados, lost its certification for being a measles-free area.
Chief Medical Officer, The Most Honourable Kenneth George, said the decertification occurred because of the persistent transmission of measles in some provinces in Canada.
“As the public may be aware, there has been an increase in the incidence of measles cases in South America, Latin America, the United States of America and Canada. Prior to the loss of the designation, the region had made progress with respect to measles elimination. And, because we live in an interconnected world where there is free movement of people, the risk of measles entering Barbados is real,” Dr. George warned.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that can result in devastating outcomes including pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). While infants and young children are at most risk, the disease is seen in all ages. The disease is transmitted through the air or via droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of infected persons.
Initial symptoms, which usually appear 10 to 14 days after infection, include high fever, rash usually accompanied by a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, cough and tiny white spots inside the mouth.
Members of the public are urged to protect themselves from the disease by:
- Ensuring children have two MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccines at 12 months and 18 months old. The measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines available. A two-dose schedule is 97 per cent effective in preventing measles for life;
- Reporting any unusual fever with rash to their physician;
- Using handwashing as a means of prevention.
The public is urged to ensure that infants are up to date with all their vaccines and to contact a polyclinic or primary care physician for further guidance. (BGIS)
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