Which parts of Istanbul are most at risk of measles? Fatal risk warning after 8-10 years

“WE MOST COME IN 9-18 MONTHS CHILDREN”

Dr. Kaya said, “We have been experiencing an increase in cases especially in the last 3-4 months in Istanbul. We have been experiencing more intense measles cases in the last 3-4 weeks. In our district (Eyüp), it is not very intense, but unfortunately much more in some regions. We see more cases in the northern parts. Regions with a high number of cases unfortunately show parallelism with vaccine hesitancy or rejection. We see this more especially in the inner and northern parts of the European side. Unfortunately, we see measles a lot, especially in children 9-12 months and 12-18 months. These are also “Children who have not been vaccinated. The most important reasons for vaccine indecision are beliefs and some people think that the vaccine is harmful because of some of the ingredients in the vaccine. After the Kovid epidemic, there has been an increase in not getting childhood vaccines. Distrust in the vaccine has increased,” he said.

“IT’S NOT JUST THE PROBLEM OF THE NON-VACCINE”

Measles Noting that especially pregnant women, immunocompromised people and unvaccinated children are at great risk, Dr. Kaya said: “Measles is transmitted very easily, progresses very quickly, and there is no definitive treatment for the disease. We can only provide treatments that will relieve symptoms. As such, we can treat severe lung infections such as pneumonia, brain infections, central nervous system infections (encephalitis), etc. It causes infections that will be effective in the long term and unfortunately we may encounter patient losses or damage. It is a very serious public health problem. Unfortunately, the person who does not get vaccinated is not only his own problem; it becomes a problem of our country and even the world.”

THE RISK OF BRAIN INFLAMMATION AFTER 8-10 YEARS IN A CHILD WITH MEASLA

Pointing out that the approach of the child to have measles and become immune is extremely dangerous, Dr. Kaya said that especially after children under the age of 2 have measles, the virus can become silent in the body and cause SSPE, which can lead to disability and even death years later, and gave the following information: “After having this disease, the virus can remain hidden in the body and after 8-10 years. There is a disease called SSPE, pan-encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain. The child can pass it on. This causes more permanent damage to children, central nervous system damage is experienced and we can lose children due to infections. That’s why getting vaccinated is much safer and safer than having an infection all the time. valuable”

“CONTACT WILL INCREASE WHEN SCHOOLS OPEN”

Dr. Çınla Nişli Kaya pointed out that there will be a much more intense increase in measles cases when schools open, and called out to the families of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated children and noted that they should be vaccinated as soon as possible. Dr. Kaya said, “Since measles is an infection transmitted by droplets and contact, the rate of transmission will increase when schools open. It will be much more difficult to diagnose and separate cases, as other viral infections such as influenza or rhinovirus will be added to it as of the season. We will have to give more difficult treatments. Therefore, we recommend that those who are under-vaccinated complete their vaccinations while schools are closed, before leaving it until September.” she said.

“NO VACCINE FAILURE, IT IS DONE AT 9-12 MONTHS AND 4TH AGE”

Stating that measles vaccines are made at the 12th month and 4th age in the childhood vaccination calendar, Dr. Kaya stated that a vaccine dose was added in the 9th month with the instruction of the Ministry of Health due to the increasing trend in cases in recent years, and said: “We invite all children who have not been vaccinated to our family health centers. This is a vaccine that has been applied since 1970. Its clinical studies have been completed. a vaccine. A live vaccine, yes, but it can cause mild pain, mild fever, maybe weakness in the arm on the day it is administered the most. Other than that, it has no major side effects. It is a clinically proven vaccine. In the past, vaccination was given in the first year and primary school age. Now, primary school vaccination has been withdrawn to the age of 4. Measles, rubella, and varicella vaccines are administered together in our family health centers and we have no problem in obtaining the vaccine. You can apply to your family physicians and nurses to have your vaccine checked. Those who have the missing vaccine can be vaccinated immediately. This is especially true for our children aged 9-12 months. It’s very important. Please don’t neglect it.”