DOH warns measles can lead to blindness among children

Measles could lead to blindness among children especially if it is not treated early, a Department of Health official warned over the weekend. "Children with measles may suffer from corneal ulceration that can lead to blindness," National Epidemiology Center head Dr. Enrique Tayag said in a series of posts on his Twitter account Saturday night. An article on the US National Library of Medicine website explained that acute corneal ulceration in malnourished children "is the commonest cause of childhood blindness in Northern Nigeria and usually develops after measles." Treatment "should be started as soon as possible to prevent scarring of the cornea." Tayag also warned that measles can also lead to pneumonia, acute diarrhea with severe dehydration or acute encephalitis. Parents can check for pneumonia in children below five years if they detect fast breathing of more than 40 per minute or chest indrawing. Adults, too, can get measles, with pregnant women at risk from a spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, or low birthweight infants. Those with advanced an HIV infection are at risk of a severe case of measles. Tips Earlier, Philippine health authorities encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated against measles after noting a rise in the number of cases. "Vaccinate all children below five years in affected barangays even if (they are) already vaccinated, except if interval between vaccination is less than one month," Tayag had said. Measles can be eliminated if measles vaccine coverage is at least 95 percent in every district. Tayag also discouraged mothers from brewing "kolantro" and having children drink it. "It will not modify course of measles; It can be a corrosive when swallowed," he warned. Instead, he said children with measles can be given paracetamol and sponge baths lest they suffer from convulsions. Mucus should also be extracted from noses so breathing is not impaired. "Use a wick or apply gentle suction," Tayag suggested. He also advised parents to give children Vitamin A, which he said reduces mortality in measles by 50 percent. He suggested parents give two doses of Vitamin A, one day apart, to children with measles. — DVM, GMA News