‘Measles deaths’: Health ministry sends team to Mumbai

Subject: Environment

Context-

After reports of an increase in suspected measles cases and three deaths in children, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday rushed a multi-disciplinary team to Mumbai.

What are measles and rubella?

Measles-
- Measles (also called rubeola) is a very contagious respiratory viral infection that causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms.
- It is transmitted person-to-person via droplets when infected people sneeze or cough.
- Initial symptoms usually occur 10–12 days after infection and comprise high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes and Koplik’s spots (tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth).
- Several days later, a rash develops and the most severe complication includes blindness, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), severe diarrhoea and pneumonia.
- There is no specific medical treatment.

Rubella–
- Rubella is a viral disease caused by the rubella virus that mostly affects the skin and lymph nodes.
- In kids, rubella (commonly called German measles or 3-day measles) is usually a mild illness.
- But the infection is dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause serious health problems in their babies.
- Rubella is transmitted in airborne droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected people.

Cases in India-

India has seen an increase in the number of measles cases – 11,156 cases of measles have been reported in 2022 till September, according to data from the World Health Organization.
To compare, there were 6,078 recorded in 2021, 5,598 cases in 2020, and 10,708 cases in 2019.

What about the vaccination?

The MR vaccine is a combined product, targeting two diseases in one shot.
Two doses of MR vaccine should be given at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age.
However, if a child misses the scheduled dose, the MR vaccine can be given till 5 years of age.
For epidemiological reasons, rubella vaccination had to cover children up to 15 years.
The same vaccine is being given in the routine Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) of India.