Why in the News?
- According to recent global health reports, measles caused approximately 95,000 deaths in 2024, despite the presence of a highly effective vaccine.
- Most deaths occurred among unvaccinated children under five, highlighting concerns about declining immunization coverage, vaccine hesitancy, and disruptions in routine immunization services in several regions.
- The spike has raised alarms globally, making measles a significant public health priority in 2025.
About Measles
- Type: Highly contagious airborne viral disease.
- Causative Agent: Measles virus (family Paramyxoviridae, genus Morbillivirus).
- Severity: Can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and death.
Who Is at Risk?
- Any non-immune person.
- Higher risk:
- Unvaccinated young children
- Pregnant persons
- Common in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Treatment
- No specific antiviral treatment.
- Management is supportive (hydration, fever control, nutrition, monitoring complications).
Prevention
- Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine offers long-term protection.
- India:
- Measles vaccine included in Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985.
- Ongoing campaigns aim to eliminate measles and rubella.
UPSC Prelims Pointers
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| HINI virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases? (2015)
(a) AIDS (b) Bird flu (c) Dengue (d) Swine flu |
