Ulaanbaatar, February 9: Mongolia is currently grappling with a significant measles outbreak. The National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) reported on Monday that the total number of cases has risen to 14,123.
According to the NCCD, most of the affected individuals are school-aged children who have only received one dose of the measles vaccine.
In light of the current situation, the NCCD has urged parents to ensure their children receive both doses of the vaccine to protect them from this potentially severe illness.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases globally. It spreads through the air, and symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and rashes. The virus can remain active and infectious in the air or on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours. According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, a person infected with measles can transmit the virus to 18 others.
While anyone can contract measles, it is most common among children.
Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles and stop its spread to others. The vaccine is safe and helps the body fight the virus.
Before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination efforts, large outbreaks occurred every two to three years, resulting in an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually.
Despite the availability of a safe and affordable vaccine, approximately 107,500 people died from measles in 2023, with the majority being children under five years old.
Symptoms of measles typically begin 10-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Early symptoms usually last for 4-7 days and include a runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks.
Rashes typically appear 7-18 days after exposure, usually starting on the face and upper neck. The rash spreads over about three days and eventually reaches the hands and feet. It generally lasts for 5-6 days before subsiding.