Measles outbreak hits Mumbai
With ten deaths during the last month and a spike in instances, India’s monetary capital town Mumbai is observing a measles outbreak. Measles is not an unusual infectious disease, especially amongst children, associated with fever, purple spots, and rashes in the skin. Children from 09 months to 5 years are often affected by measles.
Among the encompassing regions that have suggested a spike in instances, fifty-one instances had been suggested in Malegaon, 37 in Bhiwandi, 28 in Thane, 17 in Nashik, 15 in Thane Rural, eleven in Akola, 10 every in Nashik and Yavatmal, and 9 every in Kalyan-Dombivali and Vasai-Virar (until November 17).
Seven wallets of Mumbai – Dharavi, Govandi, Kurla, Mahim, Bandra, and Matunga – have emerged as hotspots.
Clinical features: Measles is an acute viral infection. It is characterized by a prodrome of fever (as excessive as 105°F) and malaise, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis -the three “C”s -, pathognomonic enanthema (Koplik spots) accompanied by way of means of a maculopapular rash. The rash typically seems approximately 14 days after someone is exposed. The rash spreads from the pinnacle to the trunk to the extremities.
Vaccination Recommendations: CDC recommends routine immunization of children with the MMR vaccine, beginning with the first dose at 15 months of age and up with the second dose at the age of 6 years or at least 28 days after the first dose. Persons born during or after 1957 and without evidence of immunity to measles should have at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
Infected individuals should isolate themselves for four days after developing a rash; Air precautions should be followed in healthcare settings.
Treatment: There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles. Medical care is supportive and helps relieve symptoms and treat complications such as bacterial infections.
