Since the start of this year, 79 persons, largely young children, have had the highly contagious measles virus, but there have been no fatalities, according to the Disease Control Department.
35.44% of the patients were under the age of 4; 18.99% were between the ages of 25 and 34; and 16.46% were between the ages of 35 and 44. The majority of the cases were discovered in Bangkok, Yasothon, Phuket, Yala, and Narathiwat.
The department stated that the majority of cases were isolated, but added that more cases are anticipated this week because the virus spreads through the respiratory system.
Measles symptoms often include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes and develop 7–14 days after virus encounter. After the measles rash spreads to the arms and legs and emerges on the face three to five days after the first symptoms, the fever will subside. According to the department, there can occasionally be serious side effects that put a patient’s life in danger, like lung or brain infections.
The department advises giving children their first MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination between the ages of 9 and 12 months and a second dose at 2 and a half years old as a preventative measure against infection.
To stop the virus from spreading, parents are encouraged to take their children to the doctor if they experience a cough and rash and to keep them at home for four days if they are found to be infected.
