Unmasking measles in pregnancy: A fatal rare case of maternal measles with posthumous diagnosis in a resource-constrained setting

Abstract

Measles, a highly contagious viral airborne disease, continues to loom as a public health concern worldwide. Despite the availability of an effective measles vaccine, maintaining a vaccine coverage of at least 95% is imperative to uphold herd immunity, which acts as a crucial barrier against the disease's resurgence. This safeguard against measles resurgence remains vulnerable, as outbreaks can occur in pockets of susceptible population where there is low vaccine uptake, even in regions that seemingly maintain satisfactory average vaccination coverage. We present a rare case from northern Tanzania of a 20-year-old female at 28 weeks of gestation age who presented with persistent cough with bloody sputum, chest pain, fevers, epistaxis, and episodes of bloody diarrhea. A postmortem examination was conducted and the findings revealed pathognomonic features of measles. Serum IgM was tested positive for measles result confirming the diagnosis. This rare case report of the pregnant woman with a posthumous diagnosis of measles emphasizes the ongoing complexities in diagnosing and managing measles. It highlights the necessity for an integrative diagnostic approach and heightened clinical awareness, particularly in resource-limited environments