Despite vaccination, one case of ‘measles’ surfaces in Zirakpur

Our Correspondent

Zirakpur, June 12

One suspected case of measles has been reported in Zirakpur.

According to sources, a one-year-old girl from Zirkapur had reported fever 10 days ago and developed rashes on her face. The family members took her to a dispensary in Chandigarh where doctors examined her, said the Health Department.

The department has stepped up surveillance and has directed its officials at the Community Health Centre, Dhakoli, to closely monitor the situation as Zirakpur reported this year’s first suspected case.

A senior doctor from the CHC said the serum sample of the child was taken today and sent to the Virology Department at the PGI to confirm the presence of virus.

What has perplexed authorities, though, is that most of the children in the area were vaccinated during the statewide Measles-Rubella vaccination drive carried out in the city.

Meanwhile, officials of the Health Department have swung into action. The department officials said as the matter came to light at an early stage, efforts were afoot to nip it (the virus) in the bud.

Though no other suspected case was found from the area, other families in the areas have started taking precautions given by the health officials.

Officials at the CHC, Dhakoli, said the child was stable and had no fever when he came at the hospital on Wednesday. However, the blood samples was taken to confirm the virus, they added.

Measles is a communicable disease that spreads through air when a normal person comes in contact of an infected child's breath, sneeze or cough.

The disease

Measles, a communicable disease, spreads through air when a normal person comes in contact of an infected child’s breath, sneeze or cough.

Symptoms

Fever, tiredness, runny nose, cough and sore red eyes are the general symptoms. These usually last for a few days before red blotchy rashes start appearing on the entire body.

Prevention

Measles can be prevented through immunisation with a vaccine called MMR. Avoid contact with measles-affected patient.