When the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Nigeria polio-free, it was celebrated after fighting the battle since 1976. This battle also forced the federal government to set up the National Programme on Immunization (NPI) in the same year. Though the effort failed woefully but in 1979 it was reactivated, leading to the emergence of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).The same can be done to other Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD), ODIRI UCHENUNU writes.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children. It is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 10 to 12 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.
There is no specific treatment for measles and most people recover within two to three weeks. However, particularly in malnourished children and people with reduced immunity; measles can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection, pneumonia and death.
Read the full article here