“The outbreaks are occurring due to accumulation of susceptible children for more than two years,” says Dr Giridhar Babu, Epidemiologist at Public Health Foundation of India, who has labored within the National Measles programme prior to now.

There was additionally a large drop in routine childhood vaccination during the COVID pandemic, which specialists had forewarned may result in a resurgence of vaccine-preventable ailments.

“This means that we have created new weaknesses because of India’s COVID response,” says Dr Harikeerthan Raghuram, a public well being researcher engaged on vaccine fairness in Bhopal.

Containing measles as soon as it begins spreading is difficult as a result of:

“Up to 9 out of 10 susceptible persons with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles,” explains Dr Giridhar Babu.

However, the specialists suppose it is unlikely that the present outbreak will spiral right into a catastrophic scenario like with COVID-19.

“Proactive surveillance, and supplementary immunization activities (mop-up’s) can aid in breaking the chain,” says Dr Babu.

“We knew nothing about COVID, but we know about measles. We have a vaccine that is very effective in preventing infection, not just severe illness,” provides Dr Dutta.

To break it down additional, until the virus mutates in a means that it might evade vaccine safety, we’re good.