The Indian capital of New Delhi has reported a large jump in measles cases over the past quarter, according to an Indian Express report today. Most cases are seen in children from the congested areas and slums.
The spike seen in hospitals has prompted the Delhi Health department to conduct a survey to determine the extent of the outbreak. What have they found?
Image/CDC
With another 10 days to go for the survey, 4,500 suspected cases have been identified, of which 1,120 were referred to hospitals and around 450 admitted immediately to Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital (MVID) as confirmed measles cases.
The report stated that 3,300 cases were treated at home for complications such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, conditions suspected to be a result of measles. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
This compares to the numbers of measles reported during the previous three years- 202, 217 and 173 diagnosed cases of measles.
Health officials are expressing concern about the “significant number” of children who were detected with measles despite having been vaccinated.
Measles or rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease that is characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.
The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include; seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.
