Question

Consider the following statements regarding Measles and Rubella:

1. Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.

2. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and is a cause of death among young children globally.

3. Bangladesh is the fifth country in the WHO Southeast Asia region to eliminate Measles.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 and 2 only

The correct answer 1 and 2 only.

• Rubella and Measles
  • Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.
    • Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and is a cause of death among young children globally.
    • Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Though the diseases are caused by different viruses but share more or less the same symptoms, including red rashes.
  • The Measles & Rubella Initiative, a global program, aims at eliminating both these diseases.
  • The vaccine for the diseases are provided in the form of measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination.​

• Sri Lanka is the fifth country in the WHO Southeast Asia region to eliminate measles. 
• Hence statement 3 is not correct.
• The elimination of a disease means that there have been zero new cases of the disease in the last three years.
  • The country reported its last case of measles in May 2016.
• The other countries in the region which have eliminated measles in their geographical area are Bhutan, Maldives, DPR Korea and Timor-Leste.
• Sri Lanka has also become the fourth country in the region, after Bhutan, Maldives and Timor-Leste, to eliminate measles and control rubella, a flagship priority programme of WHO in the region, ahead of the 2020 regional target.