The Maharashtra Chairperson of the measles taskforce, Mr. Subhash Salunkhe showed concern over the current measles outbreak in different areas of the state and said that the outbreak in states should not be taken lightly. 

Nearly 823 cases and 18 fatalities have been reported in Maharashtra just this year. While the measles outbreak is not entirely unusual, there have been more fatalities this year than in previous years. This outbreak has affected young children, especially the ones who have not been vaccinated. Similar incidents have also been reported in other states. 

The Chairperson of the measles taskforce has already initiated the steps to curb the spread. The taskforce′s objectives are to release a revised standard treatment protocol and take action to encourage community involvement.

The taskforce is concerned as they speculate that the outbreak can increase deaths. Hence, at the task force meeting, they have planned to discuss the action plan, which includes: community mobilization, ensuring that residents of slum areas are convinced to get vaccinated against measles, contacting communities with low immunization acceptance and resistance through leaders and private practitioners, improving standard treatment protocols and disseminating those to pediatricians′ and practitioners, and last but not least, placing a focus on early detection and treatment.

Health officials stated that most of the cases were initially being reported from Mumbai, but currently, incidences from Jalgaon, Dhule, and Buldhana districts, as well as rural parts of Maharashtra, are also coming up. Cases of measles are also being reported in Ahmedabad in Gujarat and areas near the borders of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. In order to stop the spread of the measles, Maharashtra must declare it an illness that must be reported. They emphasized the need to declare the measles a notifiable disease and report it to the medical authorities.

(Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/news/measles-outbreak-should-not-be-taken-lightly-says-chairperson-subhash-salunkhe-931065/)