Officials investigate suspected case of measles

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(Press Release)

The Ministry of Health & the Environment says it is currently investigating a suspected case of measles that was imported into Antigua & Barbuda.

Measles is a highly contagious disease which is characterized by high fever, cough, runny nose and a fine, red skin rash which starts on the face and spreads to the body.  If you or anyone in your family experiences fever with a rash, please go to your doctor or nearest health center immediately.

Measles is caused by a virus and is spread through coughing and sneezing. There is no specific antiviral treatment. However, the safe and effective measles vaccine that is administered as part of our country’s vaccination programme provides lifelong protection against the disease.

The Ministry is therefore urging parents and guardians to ensure that they and their children are adequately immunized against measles, mumps and rubella with the MMR vaccine. Persons who have not been vaccinated or parents who are not sure of their child’s vaccination status, should be taken to your family doctor or the nearest health center immediately for further advice and to get the vaccine.

In 2016, the Region of the Americas including Antigua and Barbuda was certified as being free of measles. Although we are awaiting laboratory confirmation of the disease, we must remain vigilant to ensure that there is no in-country transmission.  Let us work together to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda retains its measles free status.

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. With the rise of anti-vaxxers in places like USA, England and other privileged first-world countries that have no idea of what these diseases are capable of, we Antiguans and Barbudans ought to protect ourselves and our children. We did the work of keeping our populations safe and vaccinated from these deadly diseases. No need to put ourselves in danger because other countries are not as diligent.

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