Mumbai Measles Outbreak

In News

• Recently, Mumbai has seen a surge in measles cases.
  • As per WHO data nearly 40 million children globally had missed a measles vaccine dose in 2021. As a result, there were an estimated nine million measles cases and 1, 28,000 deaths.

Why has Mumbai seen a surge in measles-related cases?

• Poverty, poor hygiene practices, poor quality of nutrition and lack of vaccination in children have all contributed to the spiralling cases. 
• Some families didn’t immunise their children because of religious and cultural backgrounds. 

Measles

• Viral Infection:
  • Infection with the rubeola virus causes measles.
  • The virus infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.
  • Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals. 
• Spread:
  • Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases. 
  • It is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
• Symptoms:
  • Some initial common signs include cough, cold, runny nose, sore throat, loss of appetite, high-grade fever and body aches.
• Vulnerable age group:
  • Children below the age of five are the most vulnerable, especially those below the age of two.
• Prevention:
  • Vaccination is considered the key strategy in limiting the spread of measles during outbreaks. 

Source: TH