The number of measles cases in Portugal have increased by three since we last reported on Apr. 25. According to the epidemiological bulletin released this Friday, the measles tally is now 27, as reported by Jornal de Noticias (computer translated).
The report notes that most of the cases are located in the regions of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo. One fatality has been reported.
Of the confirmed cases, 17 are reported in adults aged 18 or over, registered in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo and in the Algarve. In the North, the only case occurred in a child between the ages of 1 and 4 years who was unvaccinated and hospitalized followed by medical discharge.
Thirteen people required hospitalization for their illness and of the 27 confirmed cases, 17 were unvaccinated.
Measles is caused by a virus belonging to the paramyxovirus. The disease is one of the most infectious diseases that exists. Measles virus excreted by breathing the air and spread through air droplets (aerosols). Susceptible people infected via the respiratory tract or mucous membranes of the eyes.
The incubation period is 7-18 days, usually about 10 days.
At the onset of measles is acute with rapidly rising fever, eye irritation and increasingly troublesome dry cough. After a day occurs a red and often confluent rash that usually only seen in the face and then spreads down the trunk and extremities.Another early symptoms of measles are small white spots on the buccal mucosa (Koplik’s spots).
Complications are quite common. Toddlers often suffer from respiratory problems and the infected mucous membranes may become secondarily infected with bacteria. Children can then have, for example, otitis media, sinusitis or pneumonia, which often requires antibiotic treatment. Measles virus is also capable of causing pneumonia in itself.
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