Following the suspected outbreak of measles in Zunheboto district and in some other parts of the State, Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) department has sent blood, urine and throat swab samples collected from patients to New Delhi for laboratory tests.
According to a data provided by Zunheboto DPO (RCH and UIP) Dr Alemwabang Aier, 50 measles cases had been reported from Aghunato town, Shevishe and Lukikhe as on May 28.
Relevant blood and urine samples, besides throat swabs, have been collected from the affected and sent to the national capital for laboratory testing, it said.
When contacted by Nagaland Post, H&FW director Dr Vizolie Suokhrie confirmed that the department had received reports about suspected measles outbreak in Zunheboto and other districts. It is an old case and it has been two weeks since the samples were collected and sent for investigation, he added.
Suokhrie said the investigation reports will be shared with World Health Organisation (WHO) for further confirmation.
Measles is a highly infectious and deadly disease among children, which is easily preventable by vaccination. However, the immunization coverage has remained below 50% in the district.
Health department, with the help of district administration, is running an immunisation drive under special Intensive Mission Indradhanush and also making efforts to improve Routine Immunisation Coverage for pregnant women and children below five years of age.
Meanwhile, Zunheboto district administration, through press release, has appealed to all citizens concerned to give full support to the immunisation campaign and ensure that no child is left behind from the life-saving vaccine.
On the other hand, Dr. Suokhrie said advisory has been issued through the media on Nipah virus, adding that the H&FW department was on its toes taking updates on daily basis. He claimed that till date there has been no report of the virus attack in Nagaland.