X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Travellers urged to get vaccinated after measles outbreak in Thailand

11 Nov, 2018

Measles cases in Thailand are on the rise, with more than 14 deaths and 1,500 cases reported since September 2018. Southern provinces like Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat have been the most affected.

Apparently, a false rumour is to blame for the alarming resurgence of the disease.

Measles cases in Thailand increase due to false rumour

The increasing number of measles cases in Thailand is apparently due to low vaccination rates among the Muslim community in the South, thanks to a false rumour.

The rumour claims that the measles vaccine contains gelatin, which is derived from pork products. However, a Thai health official has already refuted the rumour, and clarified that Thailand imports measles vaccine products that do not contain gelatin derived from pork.

Also, a video message from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand has clarified that, even if vaccines contained religiously prohibited ingredients, medical benefit to the person and the community is far more important.

Mums and dads, if you are travelling to Thailand for the year-end holidays, do make sure that the family is vaccinated against measles. The MMR vaccination is the most effective way to prevent this disease.

What is Measles

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms.

measles cases in Thailand

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers on a red background found inside the mouth on the inner lining of the cheek — also called Koplik’s spots
  • A skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

The rash breaks out 3–5 days after symptoms start, sometimes along with a high fever up to 40°C.

The red or reddish-brown rash usually begins as flat red spots on the forehead. It spreads to the rest of the face, then down the neck and torso to the arms, legs, and feet. The fever and rash slowly go away after a few days.

Any treatment involves relieving of symptoms.

Measles patients need to be monitored closely as sometimes it can lead to complications like ear infection, bronchitis. pneumonia, diarrhoea, encephalitis etc.

The best way to protect kids is to make sure they’re immunised against measles.

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) offers protection against the illness. 

The first dose of MMR vaccine can be given when they are 12 months old. The 2nd dose of MMR can be given between 15-18 months. Following MMR vaccination, some children develop a fever and rash 1 – 2 weeks later or swelling of the glands of the neck after 3 – 4 weeks. 

Partner Stories
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
Celebrity Dad Mark Lee Shares the 3 P's of Raising School Going Children - Parenting Tips, PSLE Preparation & Protecting Your Child’s Eyesight!
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
NTUC First Campus (NFC) Expands Child Support Model to Include Support for Mental Well-being
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Singapore's Dengue Cases Surpass The 35,000 Mark, Highest Since 2013
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort
Typhoon Haiyan relief effort

Also READ: Tourists warned about travelling to Bali after outbreak of deadly disease

(Source: ABC News, MayoClinic, KidsHealth)

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jaya

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • Travellers urged to get vaccinated after measles outbreak in Thailand
Share:
  • Measles cases in Singapore on the rise, 116 cases reported this year

    Measles cases in Singapore on the rise, 116 cases reported this year

  • Measles cases on the rise: MOH urges parents to get their children vaccinated

    Measles cases on the rise: MOH urges parents to get their children vaccinated

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Measles cases in Singapore on the rise, 116 cases reported this year

    Measles cases in Singapore on the rise, 116 cases reported this year

  • Measles cases on the rise: MOH urges parents to get their children vaccinated

    Measles cases on the rise: MOH urges parents to get their children vaccinated

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.