Measles outbreak in India; WHO says “it is an imminent global threat as millions of children miss vaccine”
HY News
25 November, 2022 01:30 pm IST
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Measles has become one of the biggest threats globally, according to the latest statement by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO in its latest statement said, "There is now an imminent threat of measles spreading to different regions around the world," as Covid-19 led to a steady decline in vaccination coverage and weakened surveillance of the disease.
In India, a measles outbreak in Mumbai has raised concerns amongst the country’s public health authorities. The city has reported more than 200 cases in the past two months and at least 13 children have lost their lives. This is a big jump from the last few years — 10 cases and one death in 2021; 29 cases and no death in 2020; and 37 cases and three deaths in 2019.
In view of worsening measles situation in many parts of the country, the Centre on November 23 decided to depute three high level multi-disciplinary teams to Ranchi, Ahmedabad and Malappuram to take stock of the upsurge in cases.
The Centre has also decided to offer one addition dose of measles vaccine (Measles Rubella vaccine) to all kids aged 9 months-5 years in areas reporting outbreak of the disease.
The highly infectious viral disease, that mostly strikes infants and young kids, has already claimed 11 lives in Mumbai while over 1,000 children are reported to be sick. The Centre had earlier also sent a team to the city which has already submitted its findings and suggestions to the government.
The Union health ministry said that the central teams, which will go to Jharkhand, Gujarat and Kerala will have three members each and will assist the state authorities in instituting public health measures and facilitate operationalization of requisite control and containment measures.
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