Epidemiologic Surveillance of Measles Outbreak in Ukraine in 2017

PUBLIC AND GLOBAL HEALTH: EPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEILLANCE OF MEASLES OUTBREAK IN UKRAINE IN 2017
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Epidemiology in Public and Global Health (WHO, 2018) Published a report detailing the upsurge of Measles cases reported in Europe in 2017. WHO on their website published a report titled, ‘Ukraine’s efforts to stop measles outbreak continue as case total increases.’  Measles ‘affected over 3000 people and claimed the lives of 5 children and adults in 2017’ in Ukraine (WHO, 2018). World Health Organization and its partners have been working with other affected countries in Europe to offer preventive help to prevent the spread of the disease as well as help contain the disease and prevent spreading. Efforts to contain the spread of the disease has led to doubling the number of children vaccinated in 2017 compared to 2016. This shows the intensity and scale of the preventive measures the government has taken to address the problem. World Health Organization is an agency formed by the United Nations to address issues of public health. The agency is tasked with the provision of leadership on matters of critical health. When the action is necessary, the body partners with other players in public health to bring change. Additionally, the body sets norms and standards and implementing them in the member countries. It also helps oversee the generation, translation, and dissemination of valuable information in public health which stems from various researches. It also observes and assesses health trends within member countries especially related to disease control. The body has diversified its role to technical support in some instances, catalyzing change and helping build sustainable institutional capacity in the public health sphere of member countries. Epidemiological triangle of Measles The epidemiological triad of Measles has no non-human hosts, and therefore, the causal agents are also the hosts. The susceptible persons are those who are not vaccinated against the disease and come in contact with the people who are suffering from the disease. The disease is spread by coughing or sneezing. The transmission process is usually after exposure to large respiratory droplets from a causal agent. If a patient is a causal agent, therefore, any unvaccinated person around him/her is a susceptible person who can contract the disease. In Ukrainian, some populations, especially in the rural areas, are not vaccinated, and if a single case is reported in such an area, more people are likely to suffer from the disease. The environment also contributes immensely to the epidemiology of the disease. In most western countries such as the USA, Measles has been almost eradicated, and in case of any reported case, it is contained before it affects other people. Measles is prevalent in Africa and Asia in less developed countries, and though some people have been vaccinated against it, it has not been eradicated completely. Additionall...