Mumbai Measles Outbreak

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    • 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. 

    Measles & Rubella Initiative

    • Launched in 2001, the Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&R Initiative) is a global partnership led by the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF and WHO. 
    • The Initiative is committed to ensuring that no child dies from measles or is born with congenital rubella syndrome. 
    • The Initiative helps countries to plan, fund and measure efforts to stop measles and rubella. 

    Source: TH

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