H&FW issues alert over measles outbreak in Myanmar

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 7 : The Health and Family Welfare department of Nagaland has sounded alert to the chief medical officers/medical superintendents of the four districts of Kiphire, Mon, Phek and Tuensang on the outbreak of “measles” in villages bordering eastern India that are populated by people from the Naga tribes. According to the health department notification to the four medical officers, there was high chance of the same outbreak getting imported into Nagaland through the villages bordering Myanmar. “It is therefore directed that all the health units in your district should be on vigil and all health care providers should be on alert. “It is also directed that the IDSP (Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme) reporting system should capture any unusual cases with fever and rashes,” the directive read. It was appended by the principal director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Watikala Ao. According to Athung Makury, the president of Council of Naga Affairs (in Myanmar), though doctors have confirmed the disease as a form of measles, speculations however remain “due to the fact that kids coughing out specks of blood”. More than 9 villages in the two townships of Lahe and Namyun were believed to have been affected by the disease. He also quoted Lucas Thet Naung, MP to Lower House (Union), as saying that the death toll had risen to 40. In Namyun Township, 70 people – 38 males and 32 females – have been diagnosed with flu, he informed. Blood samples of 183 patients have been sent to lab. “This initial finding has been carried out by the doctors who are at the area right now,” he informed. The ENPO has also called for immediate medical intervention. “The ENPO along with all its frontal organisations (ENWO, ENSF,ENGOA) held an emergency meeting in view of addressing the recent outbreak of a mysterious measles type of sickness/disease which had claimed scores of life till date in the Naga inhabited areas of Myanmar particularly in and around Lahe and Namyun townships,” states a press release on Sunday. These areas, it pointed out, were extremely remote and inaccessible from both sides. “This is why it is all the more reason and need for immediate medical intervention.” It appealed the government of Nagaland “to initially send a team of medical experts along with all probable medical care and assistance to the affected, and also to equally address the unaffected population as a preventive measure.” It also appealed the state government to “direct the district administrations of the bordering areas to restrict the movement from both sides of the border as a precautionary and preventive measure in spreading against probable communicable/contagious disease.” In case of detection of any patients of similar symptoms, the person should be immediately isolated and “quarantine for treatment”, it suggested. “As of now the frontal organisations have resolved to await the assessment report of the medical team that is to be sent before venturing into the affected areas for providing help and assistance to the public of the affected areas in Myanmar,” it informed.