Daijiworld Media Network - Ulan Bator

Ulan Bator, Feb 9: Mongolia is witnessing a sharp rise in measles infections, with the total number of confirmed cases climbing to 14,123, the National Centre for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) announced on Monday.

Health officials said most of the newly reported infections have been detected among school-going children who had received only a single dose of the measles vaccine. Citing this trend, the NCCD strongly advised parents to ensure that children complete the recommended two-dose vaccination schedule to guard against what can be a serious and potentially life-threatening illness.

Measles is among the most contagious viral diseases known. It spreads through direct contact with respiratory secretions released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as well as through airborne transmission. The virus can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours, making it extremely easy to spread. Experts note that one person with measles can infect as many as 18 others.

Although measles can affect people of all ages, children are particularly vulnerable. Health authorities emphasised that vaccination remains the most effective defence, protecting individuals from severe illness while also preventing community transmission. The measles vaccine is considered safe and highly effective in helping the body build immunity against the virus.

Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 and widely adopted, outbreaks occurred every two to three years and were responsible for an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide. Despite the availability of an affordable and reliable vaccine, measles continues to claim lives. In 2023 alone, an estimated 107,500 people — mostly children under the age of five — died from the disease.

Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure. Early signs include a runny nose, persistent cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the mouth. A characteristic rash usually develops between 7 and 18 days after infection, starting on the face and upper neck before spreading across the body, including the arms and legs. The rash generally lasts five to six days before gradually fading.

Health authorities in Mongolia have reiterated the importance of timely vaccination to curb the outbreak and prevent further spread, especially among children.