Measles and rubella cases remain at low level, epidemic expert says

Measles and rubella have generally remained at low levels in recent years despite an increase in reported cases of measles in certain regions of China this spring, said an epidemic expert.

This year, the incidence rate of measles, a category B infectious disease in China, has stayed below one in a million. Meanwhile, chickenpox, not a legally notifiable disease in the country, has been decreasing in prevalence over recent years, with this spring's cases roughly matching last year's numbers, said An Zhijie, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at a news conference on Friday.

However, the public should continue to take protective measures. "Chickenpox, rubella, and measles are all spread through the respiratory tract, and people are generally susceptible. The main groups affected are infants, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adolescents. Nonetheless, adults who haven't been previously infected or vaccinated can also catch these diseases," he warned.

There are effective preventive and control measures for these infectious diseases, and it is recommended that children of appropriate age receive the full course of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine and the chickenpox vaccine, An added.

"Spring is a peak season for respiratory illnesses, so kindergartens and schools should enforce preventive measures. Parents and teachers need to closely monitor the health of children, and if symptoms like fever or rash appear, they should seek medical attention right away," the expert said.

"If a child is diagnosed with any of these infectious diseases, home treatment should begin immediately to prevent close contact with vulnerable individuals. Additionally, schools should improve ventilation and disinfection in dormitories and classrooms," he added.

In addition, measles, rubella, and chickenpox confer long-lasting immunity after infection, which means if people have had the diseases as children, they won't get them again, An said.

"However, symptoms such as fever and rash, if without diagnosis, may not necessarily be chickenpox, rubella, or measles. And as the MMR vaccine is a combined vaccine, even if someone has had measles or rubella, vaccination can still prevent other infectious diseases. Therefore, vaccination is essential," he added.