Health secretary tells officials to step up surveillance to contain measles spread
Thirty-seven ashramshala students were admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital in Jalgaon with measles-like symptoms. Of them, four have tested positive for the infection so far. Officials who attended the meeting said Dr Vinayak told them to track all students and implement home isolation and treatment as needed, particularly in the villages where the students resided.
"The health secretary reviewed the reports by district health departments and told officials to intensify the surveillance in talukas and villages where the students resided and would return to after Jalgaon collector declared a measles outbreak.
Their vaccination reports are to be examined too," Jalgaon district health officer Dr Sachin Bhayekar said.
The officer said standard measles vaccination guidelines typically targeted children up to five years old. "Given the age range of the affected students (6-15 years), govt will determine a separate vaccination plan for them," he said.
Dhule district health officer Dr Sachin Bodke said the ashramshala students hailed only from Shirpur taluka, and the teams reached the homes of more than 50 of the 89 students.
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"On Monday, one student with measles-like symptoms was admitted to GMCH, Dhule, while three others were admitted to the sub-district hospital. All are stable and recuperating. Besides, the students who have reached their homes are being monitored.
We are taking help of religious leaders, community leaders and sarpanch to carry out the vaccination of the children below 5 years of age and who might have missed any of the two doses," Dr Bodke said.
The major issue faced by health officials is about the migratory population in the remote villages of the taluka, who cross over to Madhya Pradesh and other districts in search of employment. Dr Ravindra Jadhav, Nandurbar district health officer, said, "The students were yet to reach homes from Jalgaon. All the students who come home will be screened for health conditions at primary health centres, after which those exhibiting symptoms will be treated.
The rest of the students will be kept under isolation at their homes."
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a rash and flu-like symptoms. It's spread through respiratory droplets and can be serious, even deadly, especially for young children and those with weakened immune systems.
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