Mumbai: Measles outbreak confirmed in Govandi

A civic official screens a family for measles at Rafi Nagar in Govandi, on Tuesday

A day after mid-day reported about the suspicions of BMC officials that the three children from Rafi Nagar in Govandi who died in a span of 48 hours may have had measles, the civic body confirmed an outbreak of the contagious disease in the area.

The health department of the BMC, which swung into action after this newspaper highlighted the tragic incident on November 7, has alerted all healthcare facility providers to report measles cases. Hasnain Khan, 5; Noorain Khan, 3.5; and their cousin, Fazal Khan, 1 - who stayed in gully no 7, Baba Nagar, Rafi Nagar in M East ward - lost their lives between 26 and 27 October.

The BMC spoke to the families of the deceased and recorded their medical histories. Both families said that the children had a fever and developed rashes. The civic body has intensified efforts to track suspected cases in the vicinity.

Also read: Over 117 million children at risk of missing out on measles vaccines

BMC officials carry out a door-to-door survey to detect measles at Rafi Nagar in Govandi on Tuesday

An official who did not wish to be named said, "On October 14, a suspected case of measles was detected at Rafi Nagar and till now, six cases have been confirmed there. On Tuesday, the BMC surveyed 914 houses and screened 4,086 people out of which 13 suspects who have a fever and a rash have been identified. After the incident, we have written a letter to all health posts, local practitioners and a private hospital to report measles cases to their respective health officers."

The official added that there are chances that many cases have gone unreported as was the case with the three children who lost their lives. An official who is investigating the matter said, "The children went to a local clinic but the doctor was not able to identify the disease and report it to us; otherwise, we have reached the family."

Executive health officer Dr Mangala Gomare told mid-day, "There is an outbreak of measles not only in the M East ward but a few others as well. We are keeping a tab on the cases and asked ward officers to be alert." Last month, an outbreak of measles was reported in Dharavi too. A total of six cases were reported. Apart from Dharavi, there are around 12 to 15 outbreaks across the city."

Dr Tanu Singhal, consultant, paediatrics and infectious diseases, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said, "To prevent measles, vaccination is important. One has to take the first dose of MMR at nine months and then at 15 months. Measles usually presents with fever, eye discharge, cold, and cough. On the fourth day of the fever, a person gets a rash. It first appears behind the ears and then the rest of the body and rapidly fades away. If someone is suspected of having measles, they should isolate themselves. Some might develop complications such as pneumonia, ear infection, malnutrition and tuberculosis."

What is measles?
Measles is caused by a virus of the paramyxovirus family and normally spreads through direct contact and the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract and spreads throughout the body.

Who are at risk?
Unvaccinated children are at the highest risk of measles and its complications, including death. Unvaccinated pregnant women are also at risk. Any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected.

4,086
The no of Rafi Nagar locals screened for measles on Tuesday