We Can Do It

The outbreak of measles in the country in the last few months has caused the central government to take special measures.

A highly contagious disease, measles is caused by a virus that spreads easily and can be serious and fatal for children. Also called rubeola, this disease is characterised by high fever and red rashes. Mumbai has witnessed an upsurge in cases, with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare deploying a high-level multi-disciplinary team to take stock of the city.

What is Measles

Measles is a highly contagious infection that starts in the respiratory system. It can only be prevented by vaccination and remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were about 1,10,000 global deaths in 2017, most of them in children under 5. 

The virus is from the paramyxovirus family, which affects the respiratory tract first and then spreads to other parts of the body through the blood.

Symptoms of Measles

A person develops a high fever, which is usually the first sign of measles. It begins about 10-12 days after exposure to the virus and then lasts for 4 to 7 days. A person may also develop a cough, runny nose, red eyes, sore throat and white spots inside the mouth. 

Another classic sign of measles is a skin rash lasting up to 7 days. The rash commonly appears on the head and slowly spreads to other parts of the body.