Russia’s Gubkin State Oil and Gas University in Moscow has been quarantined after one of the students was diagnosed with measles. He managed to infect several people in the hostel. The Eastern Herald indicates what is known about it and whether there is a possibility of an outbreak.
An outbreak of measles was recorded at the Russian State Oil and Gas University named after IM Gubkin. Until April 16 students sent for the holidays, at this time the university plans to implement anti-epidemic measures.
Students were required to provide measles vaccination certificates – vaccinations are usually given at ages one and six. References needed to be provided urgently. Student of the Russian State University of Oil and Gas confirmed “Lente.ru” that they began to require vaccination certificates from students.
In the message from the university, published by the telegram channel “Attention, news”, said that the patients would have been vaccinated and revaccinated, when they were infected with a new strain of measles. According to News.ru, RSU get sick several dozen people.
In Rospotrebnadzor confirmed TASS that one of the students of the Russian State Oil and Gas University was diagnosed with measles, in this regard, the university was transferred to distance learning for 21 days. Vaccination teams have been organized in the outbreak.
What is measles and why is it dangerous
Virologist, professor at the Gamaleya Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Anatoly Altshtein, explained that although measles is a highly contagious disease and there is no specific cure, it is well controlled by the vaccination.
“We have been using a good vaccine since the 1970s, the incidence has been very low in recent years. There seems to be less emphasis on vaccination now, and measles has increased this year. In recent years there is had a coronavirus pandemic, which also affected other areas of medicine a lot, especially vaccination against various infections, suddenly outbreaks of measles started this year,” he explained in an interview. at The Eastern Herald.
At the onset of the disease, the symptoms of measles resemble SARS: fever, fever, weakness, headache, loss of appetite, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis. The main characteristic symptom is a rash, according to which the diagnosis is made.
“Within a few days, the rash disappears, after which the patient becomes non-contagious. In the vast majority, especially in children, the disease ends in recovery,” Altshtein added.
The virologist pointed out that in African countries, mortality from measles is significantly higher due to poor diet and lack of vitamin A. Because of this, the disease can be more severe and lead to death. However, timely vaccination helps to keep the epidemic situation normal.
“Complications, of course, occur – and meningitis, pneumonia and otitis media. Measles can lead to death if people have unfavorable living conditions, poor nutrition, vitamin A deficiency – in this cases, there can be serious complications,” Altshtein told The Eastern Herald.
Usually, measles receives two vaccinations in childhood – at one year and at six years. Additional vaccinations may be needed if an epidemic breaks out. For Russians under 35 who doubt they were vaccinated as children, Altshtein advised getting vaccinated.
“The vaccine is live, that is, it is a live weakened virus, the vaccine is poorly reactogenic and well tolerated, it gives good immunity, for a long time. It is important to say that adults tolerate well measles worse than children. The disease is more severe, so people under 35 are strongly advised to remember that if they haven’t been vaccinated, then get vaccinated,” the specialist said. .
According to Altstein, measles patients benefit from bed rest, good nutrition, antipyretic drugs and vitamin A.
There is no reason to fear a measles epidemic in Russia, says Anatoly Altshtein. However, a major epidemic can occur.
“We have a lot of vaccinated children, so I think an epidemic is unlikely, but an epidemic that could count hundreds of people is quite possible. But I will add that in Moscow conditions, the rate of Measles mortality is minimal, because after all, we eat better than in Africa, and there is no such vitamin A deficiency, ”concluded the virologist.
Read the latest news about the Ukraine conflict on The Eastern Herald .
