Measles: Incidence on the decline in Karnataka, but pockets in BBMP and Ballari record higher number of cases
Although the incidence of measles, a highly contagious viral infection, is on a decline in Karnataka, several pockets in Ballari and BBMP have been consistently reporting higher number of cases since 2024.
According to data from the State Health Department, the number of laboratory confirmed, clinically compatible and epi-linked measles cases reduced from 4,001 in 2023 to 1,115 in 2024. This year as of April 22, the State recorded 292 cases. Likewise, the number of rubella cases have also reduced from 237 in 2023 to 166 in 2024. This year (till April 22), the State has recorded 92 rubella cases.
In 2024, Ballari and BBMP recorded 243 and 103 measles cases respectively, the highest in the State. This year till April 22, these two districts recorded 91 and 25 cases respectively. While the highest number of rubella cases in 2024 have been reported in BBMP areas at 23, this year (till April 22) Yadgir has seen the highest at 15.
Outbreaks
The number of laboratory confirmed measles outbreaks decreased from 30 in 2023 to six in 2024 and three this year so far. An outbreak is defined as five or more cases, or any death, confirmed from a small geographical area over four weeks. The State has not seen any rubella outbreak since 2023, said Ansar Ahmed, State Project Director, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP).
Measles and Rubella are highly infectious viral diseases that can lead to serious illnesses, lifelong complications, and even death. Due to their high infection rate, India has set a goal to eliminate these diseases by 2026.
National campaign
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday (April24, 2025) launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination campaign 2025-26, marking a significant step towards India's goal of eliminating measles and rubella by 2026.
In Karnataka, this year (January to April 22), three districts - Dakshina Kannada, Davangere and Kodagu - have reported zero measles cases and eight districts including Bagalkot, Belagavi, Bengaluru Urban, Kodagu and Koppal have recorded zero rubella cases, according to data.
Dr Ahmed said any person who is unvaccinated is susceptible. Children under five, pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe complications, he said.
MR vaccine
Under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), two doses of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine are provided free of cost to all eligible children, at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age, respectively. Currently, India's MR vaccination coverage stands at 93.7% for the first dose (2024-25 HMIS data) and 92.2% for the second dose.
Karnataka's MR vaccination coverage is 96% for the first dose (2024-2025 HMIS data) and 93% for the second dose. The vaccination coverage is the lowest in BBMP at 83% for the first dose and 81% for the second dose.
High-level committee
Attributing the high incidence of measles in BBMP to the low immunisation coverage, Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary (Health), said the health monitoring structure in BBMP is weak due to various reasons. 'We have seen that BBMP reported the highest number of dengue cases last year,' he said.
'While primary health facilities in core BBMP areas are run and managed by the civic body, those in the new wards are managed with grants from the zilla panchayats and the Health Department. Apart from lack of coordination, the number of ASHAs and ANMs available are not proportionate to the population here. We are setting up a high-level committee to discuss the feasibility of either taking over BBMP-run facilities or handing over all the centres to BBMP. This will be sorted out in about two months and we will place a proposal before the cabinet,' Mr Gupta added.
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