The Ministry of Health (MOH) has launched this week the national vaccination campaign against measles and rubella, targeting children aged 6 months to 5 years. The campaign lasts for two months. MOH provides the vaccine free of charge to all citizens and residents at all its healthcare centers. By Allah Grace, the vaccine is the only way to prevent the disease.
In an awareness infographic published on its twitter page dubbed «#لنوقف_الحصبة», which means "Let us Prevent Measles", MOH said that the virus lives in the nose and throat of an infected person and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, the germ-laden droplets can stay on surfaces and the virus remains active (infectious) for up to two hours, therefore a healthy person can be infected through touching the infected surfaces and then touching his mouth or nose or eye. The virus also can be spread to others form incubation until the fourth day of the onset of rash.
Measles is a highly infectious illness affecting all age groups mostly children under the age of 5 years, and it may cause severe complications. It is also called "morbilli". On the other hand, rubella (German measles) is a severe viral infection and its symptoms include skin rash and swollen lymph nodes, which range from 3-5 days.