After 40 fresh cases were reported from areas that reported high rates of refusal during the recent measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched an investigation into measles outbreak. Besides giving the samples of the newly reported cases for further investigation in Haffkin Institute, the public health department of the civic body is focusing on making people aware of the importance of MR vaccine. The cases have been reported from seven wards across the city where coverage for MR vaccine was below 85 per cent. According to the BMC, none of the patients who have been clinically diagnosed with measles has been vaccinated against the disease. These cases have been reported from Byculla, Dharavi, Govandi, Worli, Bandra East, Kurla, Malad. BMC will start an awareness campaign on the importance of MR vaccine in these areas as a precautionary measure, said a BMC official. Eight suspected outbreaks have been reported since January. Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, the public health department of BMC, said, "There is no prescription medication to treat measles. Thus, it is important for children to take the vaccine. The vaccine is available in various public health centres and private clinics." Around 90 per cent of the children have been covered under the measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign across the city by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s public health department. While the campaign will end by March 30, the BMC is trying to cover as many children as possible under this campaign. Further, the vaccination with be available at public health centres after March 30 but won't be covered under the campaign.

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