Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City-1 has started administering vaccines against measles and rubella to children following an outbreak of measles in various wards of the sub-metropolis.

One child died while more than 30 children were found to be infected in the past week.

The drive to administer vaccines against measles to 10,116 children aged between six months and 15 years, in the disease-prone areas, began on Friday.

“In case a child shows symptoms of measles, please contact the nearest health post and get them vaccinated,” requested Naresh Shrestha, vaccine supervisor at the Banke health office.

As of Friday, 31 cases of measles have been reported in Nepalgunj.

According to the District Public Health Office (DPHO), Banke, the disease is turning into an epidemic as the guardians of the sick children failed to seek immediate treatment.

Early symptoms, which usually appear 10-12 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes and white tiny spots inside the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops on the face, upper neck and other parts of the body. It is one of the most easily spread viruses among humans and is particularly dangerous for children.