Measles and malnutrition in a West Bengal village

The occurrence of measles over a five year period (1970-1974) was observed in a West Bengal village. Measles occurred every year between May and August and remained confined each year to small clusters or play groups. Restricted movement of the children within their own playgroup limited the spread of the disease. Most of the cases occurred in children between 2-6 yrs and 91.5% were in children below 7 yrs of age. The disease was not very severe in spite of the widespread prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition and mortality was low compared to rates from Africa. Of the 181 cases only two children, who had kwashiorkor and who also had measles, died. There was no mortality among the marasmic children, nor were there any serious complications among them. The incedence of clinically diagnosed measles was significantly lower in severely malnourished children than well nourished children. Comparatively, low severity of this disease in India, as against high mortality rates in parts of Africa, amy be due to relative prevalence of marasmic and kwashiorkor type of malnutrition in these geographic areas.