Unmasking Measles: A New Generation of Doctors Encounter an Old Foe
In the wake of the 21st century, an ominous specter from the halls of antiquity continues to prowl in the shadows, reminding us of our not-so-distant past. Ironically, this formidable opponent isn’t an ancient beast, nor is it an invincible titan, but rather, a puny microorganism: the measles virus.
Ubiquitous in its nature and sneaky in its course, the measles virus was once a formidable foe that haunted societies globally. Yet, the advent of vaccines in the mid-20th century brought about an unprecedented shift in the balance of power. The victory gained was so significant that the World Health Organisation (WHO) optimistically set the goal for global measles eradication by the year 2020.
However, as the new generation of pathologists, epidemiologists, and virologists finds themselves confronting an outbreak of measles, the question arises: Is the man in the white armor facing off against an immortal nemesis, or are we just donning the wrong armor?
In understanding this battle, context is imperative, and so we must journey back to the mid-20th century, where it all began. Discovered in 1954, and shortly after a vaccine was produced, the measles virus was seemingly confined to the annals of history. To many, it appeared the fight had been won, but rather like a phoenix, measles has risen from the ashes dramatically.
Fast forward to the present day, we see a resurgence of measles cases worldwide. In 2019 alone, WHO reported a spike of reported cases around 300% compared to the previous year. This significant resurgence, seemingly paradoxical in an era of advanced medicine, raises eyebrows and begs the question of why.
The answer to this puzzle may lie less in the biology of the virus and more in societal dynamics. While the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, a two-dose regimen, has proven to be about 97% effective against measles, gaps in immunization coverage have emerged. With the rise of the anti-vaccine movement fueled by misinformation, fear, and skepticism, the hard-fought gains of the previous century are under threat.
In addition, global disparities in vaccine access and healthcare resources mean that while measles is often a treatable condition in developed nations, it remains a dangerous and potentially lethal pathogen in less privileged corners of the world, sharpening health inequities.
But how does this translate into implications for the new generation of doctors? Understanding the reality of measles today is a sobering wake-up call for the complexities of healthcare in the 21st century. Not only does one need to be proficient in diagnosis and treatment, but also skilled in the art of communication to counter misinformation, a psychological warrior battling parental fears and anxieties, and a global health advocate fighting for equity in healthcare access.
It seems that even though the measles virus itself hasn’t changed dramatically, our relationship with it has. Today, the fight against measles goes beyond prescriptions and medicines and enters the realm of ethics, communication, and advocacy.
This narrative elucidates the many dimensions of the battle against measles and brings to light the role of doctors as not only lifesavers but also educators, advocates, and warriors. It is a call for a new generation of doctors to rise, not merely as soldiers but strategists, not only as virologists but also as communicators and humanists. It is indeed an old foe that they face, but it requires a new, modern, multi-faceted defense.
Sources:
1) WHO: Ten threats to global health in 2019; retrieved from: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019
2) Rosen JB. The epidemiology of measles; retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4717369/
3) Monitoring the situation; retrieved from: https://www.who.int/immunization/monitoring_surveillance/burden/vpd/surveillance_type/active/measles_monthlydata/en/
4) Mello MM, Studdert DM, Parmet WE. Shining a light on vaccine exemptions in the United States; retrieved from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1902652
5) WHO: Measles – Global situation; retrieved from: https://www.who.int/csr/don/26-november-2019-measles-global_situation/en/