Turkey measles cases increase ten-fold in 2013
The number of measles cases on the transcontinental country of Turkey has increased ten times in 2013 as compared to the previous year, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a notice for travelers.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of Sept. 10 they have reported 6,983 confirmed measles cases in Turkey during 2013, up from approximately 700 reported cases in all of 2012.
Many cases have occurred in the southern provinces of the country. The Turkish Ministry of Health is working to address the outbreak.
The CDC says measles remains a common disease in many parts of the world, including areas in Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and Africa and the Americas.
In the United States, most of the measles cases result from international travel. The disease is brought into the United States by people who get infected in other countries. They spread the disease to people not protected by the vaccine, which can cause measles outbreaks. Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting infected when he or she travels internationally.
To protect yourself, getting vaccinated against the disease is key. In addition, practicing good hygiene such as frequent handwashing and avoiding touching your face are two other means.
Measles is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through the air by breathing, coughing, or sneezing. Measles virus is highly contagious and can remain so for up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces. Symptoms of measles are rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Some people who become sick with measles also get an ear infection, diarrhea, or a serious lung infection, such as pneumonia. Although severe cases are rare, measles can cause swelling of the brain and even death. Measles can be especially severe in infants and in people who are malnourished or who have weakened immune systems (such as from HIV infection or cancer or from certain drugs or therapies).
Image/CIA
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