<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Measles has killed 12 children in the western Indian city of Mumbai and surrounding areas, authorities say.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The first death was reported around 26-27 October when three children died within 48 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>The city had 233 confirmed cases this year until Wednesday - a three-fold jump from the 92 cases and two deaths reported last year.</div><div><br></div><div>Authorities say a sluggish vaccination drive amid the Covid pandemic has contributed to the spike in infections.</div><div><br></div><div>The latest reported death, on Tuesday, was of an eight-month-old baby who was partially immunised, the local municipal body said in a press note.</div><div><br></div><div>Measles is highly contagious - even more than Covid - and can cause serious complications, especially in children less than five years.</div><div><br></div><div>The disease, which causes coughing, rashes and fever, can be prevented by two doses of the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine.</div><div><br></div><div>There have been several large outbreaks in countries across Europe where MMR vaccine uptake has been low.</div><div><br></div><div>Nine in every 10 people can catch it if they are unvaccinated and exposed.</div><div><br></div><div>As well as causing a distinctive rash, measles can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, and can sometimes be fatal.</div><div><br></div><div>Vaccination can remove almost all of these risks.</div><div><br></div><div>Two doses of the MMR vaccine give 99% protection against measles and rubella and about 88% protection against mumps. - BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>