Why Delhi conducted ground survey on measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Measles has been an important cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.

Why Ground level survey?

• Delhi has witnessed a spike in measles cases over the last three months. For the first time in the decade, there was an increase in the number of cases.
• Therefore Delhi conducted a ground level survey to test both children and adults.
• Over 4,500 suspected measles cases have been found in Delhi with still 10 days for completion of the survey.

Report to the WHO:

Delhi has sent the report on the increased number of measles to WHO India experts. Important observations in the report are:

• A total of 800 cases of measles have been reported this year.
• With 10 days to complete the survey, 4,500 suspected cases were identified, of which 1,120 were referred to hospitals and around 450 admitted immediately as confirmed measles cases.
• About 3,300 cases were treated at home for complications such as respiratory infections, pneumonia, conditions were suspected to be a result of measles.
• Most of the children who were confirmed with measles were between 6 and 8 years of age and had migrated to Delhi from other states when they were about two years old.
• The measles vaccine has two shots, one that is administered after the 9th-12th month after birth, and the second after the 16th month. Hence there are high chances that they had missed the immunisation cycle.
• But the cause of worry was a large number of children were detected with measles, even after having vaccinated.

Delhi is now examining whether there was any mutation in the virus, which is not being controlled with the vaccine.