Tag: Measles

Measles cases in Malappuram

Kerala: Appeal For Vaccination After 160 Cases Of Measles Reported In Malappuram

By LokMarg

Taking note of the rising cases of measles in Malappuram, the Indian Academy of Paediatricians stepped in and appealed for vaccination amid the reportedly alarming hike in the cases.

The officials informed that the Malappuram district was the worst hit.
“As of now, all states are facing measles outbreak. In Kerala, Malappuram the most affected. 160 cases of measles reported in the dist. So far there hasn’t been any mortality due to measles in the district,” said Dr Jose Ouseph, State President of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Kerala.

His remarks came in the wake of the declining rate of immunization for measles after the pandemic.

“There is a chance of it spreading in the coming days. So, we’re pushing for maximum vaccination coverage in the affected areas,” Dr Jose added.

On November 24, The World Health Organization(WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday (local time) said that measles immunization had dropped significantly since the coronavirus pandemic began, resulting in a record high of nearly 40 million children missing a vaccine dose last year.

“There is now an imminent threat of measles spreading to different regions around the world as COVID-19 has led to a steady decline in vaccination coverage and weakened surveillance of the disease,” said WHO and CDC in a joint report.

Measles is one of the most contagious human viruses and is almost entirely preventable through vaccination. However, it requires 95 percent vaccination coverage to prevent community outbreaks.

“A record high of nearly 40 million children missed a measles vaccine dose in 2021,” read the joint report.

Earlier on November 28, a one-year-old girl died in Mumbai on Monday after contracting measles, said a statement issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The minor’s death took the city’s official toll from the highly infectious disease to 14. (ANI)

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Flood-Hit Pak Malaria

Flood-Hit Pak May See 2.7mn Malaria Cases By Jan 2023: WHO

By LokMarg

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday warned of 2.7 million malaria cases in flood-hit Pakistan in 32 districts by January 2023.

The organization urged the international community “do a lot more” for flood-hit Pakistan. Cholera, measles, and dengue outbreaks are among other diseases, reported Geo News.
Declaring Pakistan floods a Grade 3 Emergency, WHO expressed its concern over the second wave of disease outbreaks grasping the flood-stricken areas of Pakistan, The News reported.

WHO’s representative in Pakistan Dr. Palitha Mahipala said that they were expecting 2.7 million malaria cases in 32 districts by January 2023.

Speaking about malaria, Dr. Mahipala said 32 districts of Sindh and Balochistan were “worst-affected” due to malaria where thousands of cases were daily being reported and added that they were fearing 2 million malaria cases by December and around 2.7 million cases by the end of January 2023 from these districts, reported Geo News.

“In order to prevent mortality due to malaria, WHO is providing rapid diagnostic kits and anti-malarial medicines worth USD 2.5 million while technical support is also being provided to the federal and provincial governments to deal with malaria outbreaks. As larvicidal preventive measures are not possible in flood-affected areas, prophylactic treatment and post-exposure treatments are being arranged to treat malaria patients”, he maintained.

“As (WHO) director general had warned earlier, the second disaster in the shape of outbreaks of water and vector-borne diseases has begun in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan,” said Dr. Mahipala.

He said that there are outbreaks of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) in 46 flood-affected districts while malaria outbreaks are being reported in 32 districts, reported Geo News.

Moreover, cholera, measles, and dengue outbreaks are among the other diseases which can lead to great loss if not paid immediate attention, he told reporters at a briefing at WHO Country Office in Islamabad, reported Geo News.

Terming the approaching winter as the third major challenge in the flood-affected areas, Dr. Mahipala said the combination of water and vector-borne diseases and harsh winters could become extremely lethal for the millions of flood-affected people who are living along hundreds of kilometers of roads in Sindh and Balochistan.

He maintained that WHO has declared the Pakistan floods as a Grade 3 Emergency, the highest level, which means all three levels of the organization — the country and regional offices, as well as headquarters — are involved in the response.

He added that WHO has appealed for USD 81.5 million to deal with disease outbreaks and to provide basic health services to the people at risk, reported Geo News.

Acknowledging the outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases including cholera and typhoid in the flood-affected areas, the representative said malnutrition was another serious challenge for the health authorities as mal-nourished children could become easy prey to infectious diseases and added that special campaigns were being launched to vaccinate as many children as possible in the affected districts, reported Geo News.

Responding to a query regarding the provision of clean drinking water to the affected people, he said WHO had provided 4 million aqua tablets that can make water germ free and suitable for drinking while they have established two filtrations in Sindh, adding that they would provide 1000 small filtration plants in the flood affected areas, of which 100 would be procured and installed very soon.

He further informed that WHO has started working on the renovation of 78 health facilities in the flood-affected areas, adding that WHO has pledged to renovate 200 of the most damaged health facilities in the flood-affected areas, reported Geo News. (ANI)

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