Kerala Child Rights Panel Probes Measles Deaths in Malappuram
Kerala's child rights commission has opened a suo motu case into two measles deaths in Malappuram, where vaccination coverage remains low.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken up a suo motu case following the deaths of two children from measles in Malappuram district.
The children were a 10-month-old from Valavannur near Kottakkal and an 18-month-old from Ponmala near Malappuram. Both died after contracting the infection.
The Commission has asked the Women and Child Development department and the District Medical Officer to submit detailed reports within 15 days. Its inquiry will look at whether the children received the measles vaccine on time and whether any lapses occurred in the immunisation process. The panel has also directed the authorities to identify areas and groups where there is reluctance towards vaccination and to determine the reasons behind it.
Health department data point to wide gaps in coverage. About one-third of children in the district have not received both doses of the measles vaccine over the past three years. In 2025-26, only 63 per cent of children had completed the two-dose schedule.
The shortfall is sharper in some pockets. More than 40 per cent of children in the block panchayats of Vengara, Tanur, Malappuram and Areekode have not finished their vaccination.
The district has recorded 63 confirmed measles cases this year, while around 400 people showing symptoms are under observation.
Measles typically presents with fever, cold, red eyes and skin rashes. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis.
The Health department has issued an alert and stepped up awareness and vaccination drives in Valavannur, Kuttippuram, Vengara and Pookkottur.