Measles outbreak in Mumbai: Symptoms, health complications, here's all you need to know

After the measles outbreak in Mumbairsquos slum pockets the civic body has been on the alert and geared up to tackle the spread of the infectious disease Till November 15 seven suspected deaths due to measles have been reported by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC in the cityWhile earlier Govandi ME ward in Mumbai was reported to be the hotspot of the measles outbreak the BMC has now listed slum pockets in other wards E Byculla FN Matunga GSouth Prabhadevi PNorth Malad West MW Chembur L Kurla and HE Bandra Santacruz to also be the hotspots for reporting suspected cases in MumbaiIn Mumbai this year 1079 suspected cases of fever and rashes have been reported and 142 confirmed cases As there has been an increasing number of suspected measles cases daily the following is a breakdown of everything you need to know about this infectious diseaseAccording to the Maharashtra governmentrsquos website measles is a highly infectious illness caused by a virus that can be found in the nose mouth or throat of an infected personWhat is measles and how does it spreadIt is a viral infection caused by Moribilivirus It can infect only humans and spreads from human to human through close contact The virus is transmitted through the air by respiratory droplets expelled by infected individuals during coughing and sneezingAlso Read Measles outbreak Besides Govandi slums in Kurla Chembur Malad Bandra at highriskWhat are the symptomsSpeaking about the symptoms to look out for Dr Vaidehi Dande Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician Symboisis Hospital said ldquoInfection starts with highgrade fever along with severe rhinitis and conjunctivitis red eyes and eye discharge Fever resolves by the fourth day and characteristic rash appears starting from ears and face and then spreading to trunk and abdomenrdquoShe added ldquoInfection in itself is selflimiting but complications happen in upto five per cent of those who get infected complications are more common and more severe in unvaccinated childrenrdquoThe state government also mentions that the infection is characterised by fever cough and spreading rash that may lead to death due to secondary infections like diarrhea and pneumoniaWhich age group people are at high riskSpeaking about the highrisk age group Dr Sulaiman Ladhani Consulting Chest Physician at Masina Hospital said ldquoMeasles most commonly affects children under the age of five and pregnant women If their immunity is low and these people are not vaccinated at the appropriate time they are at a higher risk of exposure If they come into contact with affected people in communities the outbreak is much fasterrdquoAlso Read Measles outbreak Govandi citizens send legal notice to Maharashtra govtldquoBesides kids and pregnant women people with compromised immune systems such as from leukemia or HIV infection and the elderly population too can be at high riskrdquo said Dr DandeWhat are the health complications of measles in kids and pregnant womenMiddleear infections pneumonia brain infectionencephalitis which can lead to permanent hearing loss and epilepsy diarrhea and malnutrition and reactivation of tuberculosis to name a few Some of these complications are lifethreateningldquoIf there are any symptoms an early referral must be made to hospitals because complications of measles can be very lifethreatening and lead to various complications such as encephalitis blindness diarrhea uncontrolled pneumonia and deafnessrdquo added Dr LadhaniImportance of taking measles vaccinesThe measles vaccine is effective in preventing measles and should be given as per the immunization scheduleldquoIt is the best way to prevent measles The disease is milder and the complication rate is lower in vaccinated children who develop measles It is initiated at nine months with a booster at 15 months and 45 years The vaccine is easily available and with minimal side effects Usually it is combined with mumps and rubella and sometimes chickenpox vaccinerdquo said Dr DandeHow long can an infected patient spread measlesFour days before and four days after the onset of rashIs it curableWhile there is no curative treatment it is a selflimiting infection that is potentially lifethreateningWhat preventative measures should be taken during an outbreak in your arealdquoParents should ensure that their child takes the MR vaccine during the MR vaccination campaigns organised by the government In case of fever the child must be isolated from other children Prevent close contact with an infected personrdquo mentioned Dr DandeFurther Dr Ladhani added ldquoProper hygiene such as washing hands and maintaining a healthy environment could also be a good way of protecting children against measlesrdquoIn Mumbai the number of suspected cases diagnosed with fever and red rashes in 2020 and 2021 was 279 and 408 respectively In 2020 25 confirmed cases and in 2021 nine confirmed cases were reported Presently from January 2022 till November 15 1079 suspected cases and 142 confirmed cases have been recorded in the cityWhile there has been a drastic increase in the number of cases medical experts believe social distance during the pandemic might be one of the reasons for less number of cases in those yearsDr Ladhani added ldquoOther factors to consider are that due to Covid19 there was social distancing and the children were in a protected environment Hence the chances of an outbreak were low Now with the relaxation of social distancing and the subtle exposure of children in communities the chances of exposure are high and if one person is affected in an unprotected community the spread can be fasterrdquo