Measles : Significant Rise
There has been a significant spike in measles cases and fatalities in Delhi, attributed to under-reporting of cases during the Covid-19 lockdowns in the previous years.
- The Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, the focus and resources were primarily directed towards managing the pandemic, leading to weakened surveillance for measles and other diseases, contributing to measles cases, along with challenges related to vaccine acceptance, even among some affluent segments of society.
- Measles virus is an enveloped, ribonucleic acid virus of the genus Morbillivirus.
- Measles is highly contagious, and an infected person will often transmit the virus to over 90% of unprotected close contacts.
- The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
- Measles can be entirely prevented through a two-dose vaccine and has been officially eliminated in many countries with advanced healthcare systems.
- No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles virus.
- Severe complications from measles can be avoided through medical care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake, and treatment of dehydration.
- Routine measles vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with high case and death rates, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths.
