Over the last few weeks, localized measles outbreaks have been recorded in several states, including Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Kerala, and Gujarat. The scenario is concerning, especially in Maharashtra.

According to state health department data, Maharashtra has identified 50 measles epidemic regions this year, compared to one in 2021, two in 2020, and three in 2019. Data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday reported 252 confirmed cases and eight fatalities due to measles in Mumbai this year.

Following the outbreak in October, the BMC launched an immunization drive earlier this month. According to BMC officials, the Covid-19 pandemic over the previous two years, which resulted in missing or poor vaccination, was thought to be the primary cause of the rapid outbreak.

Maharashtra is experiencing an increase in measles cases, not only in Mumbai. Dr. Mangala Gomare, executive health officer of BMC, said that many kids have failed to receive their immunizations during the previous two years due to COVID, low awareness, and vaccine hesitancy. Many parents were frightened to be immunized or believed that now was not the time. Additionally, some areas of hesitation existed, which increased the number of people who were not vaccinated.

Measles is an airborne infection, similar to COVID, with an estimated basic reproduction number, R nought (R0), of 12 to 18, and it most frequently affects children under the age of five. Health professionals said that despite reduced immunization rates, the measles outbreaks were under control in the last two years because of the social distancing and isolation caused by the pandemic.

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/covid-low-awareness-vaccine-hesitancy-why-mumbais-reeling-from-a-measles-outbreak/1234989/