Measles outbreak kills one in CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express /DIO

Imphal/CCpur, June 08 2018: A four year old girl has died after measles broke out at two villages of Churachandpur since the last three/four days.

Measles broke out at Monglenphai and K Sinai village which are located close to Churachandpur district headquarters on June 5, informed a source.

Even though it is said that the outbreak is confined within the two villages, the Churachandpur Chief Medical Officer (CMO) today submitted a report to the Health Department.

A four year old girl died at K Sinai village due to measles in the night of June 5.K Sinai village is located about 3/4 kms away from Churachandpur District Hospital.

Measles outbreak has also been reported at Monglenphai village under Leisang PHSC of Samulamlan Block.

Dr Jam Thianlal, DFWO, Churachandpur issued 'Outbreak Notification' on June 6.After they were informed about the outbreak by officials of the Health Department, officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) went to the two villages and collected blood samples.

They have sent the blood samples to the WHO accredited laboratory located at Guwahati.

Medical teams have been sent to the two villages to vaccinate children against Measles and Rubella who missed such vaccination camps held earlier.

Meanwhile, Additional Director, FWS and State Observer (Churachandpur district) of Measles-Rubella Campaign Dr Th Somorendra Singh rushed to the villages today to collect report of the outbreak at the instruction of State Immunisation Officer (SIO).

He said that the outbreak was due to resistance by the villagers to the vaccination campaign.

DFWO, Churachandpur has sent Measles outbreak report in the district to the Director, Health and Family Welfare today besides holding awareness campaign at vulnerable locations since yesterday.

At the same time, a team comprising of staff from District Surveillance Office, DFWO and ASHA Monglenphai collected blood samples and throat swabs of the victims which were sent for laboratory examinations.

"The outbreak is due mainly to resistance by the villagers to vaccination," said Dr Jam Thianlal.

He added, "The victims (of these two villages) are found to be resistant families to vaccination during the two rounds of Outreach Sessions and one round of school session held earlier." Dr Jam Thianlal cautioned that the outbreak can continue since there are some villages which resisted MR vaccination and awareness campaign which was launched in the district since March this year.

He urged all concerned to vaccinate their children aged between 9 months to 15 years against Measles and Rubella at the District Immunisation Office or any nearest PHCs which can be done every day.

If all children are vaccinated, the disease would be prevented and the case may be eliminated in the entire State within two years, the DWFO said.

Additional Director, FWS and State Observer (Churachandpur district) of MR Campaign, Dr Th Somorendra Singh urged the people not to panic but vaccinate their children at the earliest.

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