Description

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Context:

Measles outbreak resulted in the first US measles death in a decade.

News in Detail

A child died from measles in rural West Texas on February 26, 2025, marking the first US measles fatality in 10 years. Cases were reported across Texas, with the outbreak initially concentrated in a Mennonite community.

About Measles

It is a highly contagious viral disease (caused by measles virus, also called rubeola) targeting the respiratory tract, causing fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive body rash.

Severe cases can lead to fatal complications like pneumonia or encephalitis.

Spreads via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Vaccination is effective against infection.

About Mennonites

Mennonites are Anabaptist Christians tracing their roots to the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. They advocate adult baptism, non-violence, and separation of church and state.

Practices vary widely:

Mainstream Mennonites: Integrate into modern society, focusing on peace and social justice.
Conservative Groups: Maintain traditional lifestyles similar to the Amish, with limited technology, male leadership, and traditional dress (e.g., women’s head coverings).
Old Colony Mennonites: A conservative sect in Texas with a complex migration history (Russia → Canada → Mexico → Texas), preserving Low German dialect and cultural traditions.

Early Anabaptists faced persecution by Catholic and Protestant rulers, promoting distrust toward government authority, including public health agencies.

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MEASLES

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about Measles:

Measles is caused by a bacterium belonging to the Mycobacterium genus.
Koplik spots are pathognomonic for measles.
Measles is a nationally notifiable disease in many countries, including India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 1 and 3

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Measles is caused by a virus, specifically the measles virus, a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus of the Paramyxoviridae family, not a bacterium of the Mycobacterium genus. Mycobacterium is a genus of bacteria that causes diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.

Statement 2 is correct: Koplik spots are pathognomonic for measles, meaning they are a distinctive diagnostic sign that is almost exclusively indicative of measles. These spots appear on the buccal mucosa (inner lining of the cheeks) a few days before the measles rash.

Statement 3 is correct: Measles is a nationally notifiable disease in many countries, including India, and is under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). This means that healthcare providers are legally required to report cases of measles to public health authorities to monitor outbreaks and implement control measures.

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