Measles outbreak in Mumbai: All you need to know about the viral infection | CPT PPP Coverage

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As the centre has deployed a high-level multi-disciplinary team amid the surge in measles cases in Mumbai, here’s what you should know about this highly contagious viral disease.

Unvaccinated children are at a high risk of measles complications, including death. (Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

By Daphne Clarance: The outbreak of measles in the country in the last few months has caused the central government to take special measures.

A highly contagious disease, measles is caused by a virus that spreads easily and can be serious and fatal for children. Also called rubeola, this disease is characterised by high fever and red rashes. Mumbai has witnessed an upsurge in cases, with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare deploying a high-level multi-disciplinary team to take stock of the city.

WHAT IS MEASLES?

Measles is a highly contagious infection that starts in the respiratory system. It can only be prevented by vaccination and remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were about 1,10,000 global deaths in 2017, most of them in children under 5.

The virus is from the paramyxovirus family, which affects the respiratory tract first and then spreads to other parts of the body through the blood.

Cases of measles have been increasing in India. The country has seen over 11,156 cases of measles till September 2022, as per WHO. The cases doubled in the first two months of 2022 compared to the previous year with a 79 per cent increase.

Being a highly contagious disease, a person exposed to the virus has a 90 per cent chance of getting infected.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES?

A person develops a high fever, which is usually the first sign of measles. It begins about 10-12 days after exposure to the virus and then lasts for 4 to 7 days. A person may also develop a cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat and white spots inside the mouth.

Another classic sign of measles is a skin rash lasting up to 7 days. The rash commonly appears on the head and slowly spreads to other parts of the body, according to healthline.com.

Unvaccinated children are at a high risk of measles complications, including death. Even pregnant women are at high risk, including people who have not been vaccinated with the MR (measles rubella) vaccine.

Poorly nourished children are also at high risk, especially those who have a weak immune system and low vitamin A.

“It is an airborne disease and very contagious. Symptoms may last up to 10 days if no complications appear involving mainly lungs (pneumonitis) or brain (encephalitis) are involved,” said Dr Navin Jain, Consultant Pediatrician, Apollo Clinic.

IS THERE A VACCINE AGAINST MEASLES?

Yes, there is a vaccine to prevent this disease. To eliminate measles and rubella, India launched a one-time immunisation campaign for all children between the ages of 9 months to 15 years in 2017. All states, including Maharashtra, completed the vaccination. In May, the government adopted a National Strategic Plan to eliminate measles by the end of 2023. Infected adults and children should be isolated for four days after a rash appears.

Dr Jain added, “To prevent this disease, vaccination cover is necessary which breaks the series of infections caused by airborne droplets. Treatment is symptomatic only. There is no cure for this disease with medicine except through the development of antibodies inside a human being. We recommend not giving aspirin to children.”

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed cases of measles in the slum areas of Mumbai after three children died due to the disease in Govandi region, according to a Mid-Day report.