Measles take epidemic form in South Tripura

AGARTALA, Feb 23 — With the onset of the dry spell, measles outbreak in interior Tripura, mainly in south district has reached an alarming situation. Unofficial reports have already put the death toll to 20 in several parts of Belonia and Sabrum subdivisions. All the children who died in the disease, belonged to tribal families. Measles first reported in Giddhikumarpara, a remote tribal hamlet, spread like wildfire in villages like Kalapania, Kolambari, Kshirode Roaja para, Purba Sabrum etc in south district. Out of 20 deaths reported, 16 died at Giddhikumarpara. Measles outbreak is also reported from Sindhukpathar in Dhalai district.

As the measles turned almost epidemic, State Government has taken steps on a war-footing. Medical teams have been sent to affected villages while local public health physicians are working round-the-clock, said a health department official. He said, a three-member medical team comprising a tropical medicine expert, a child specialist and a microbiologist has been visiting the affected villages attending children. The team will also collect blood samples and file a detailed report today. The blood samples will be sent to Kolkata for laboratory test. But medical officers on condition of anonymity said the child deaths are mostly due to broncho-pneumonia, the post measles syndrome. There are also reports of two elderly men’s death of post measles syndrome.

“During this season when there is a sudden change in climate and scarcity of water, any disease like measles or hepatitis may erupt,” observed the physicians. But the doctors are facing peculiar problem: neither the children nor their parents are ready to take vaccination. When doctors arrive the tribal children fearing injection run away to jungle. On the other hand, their parents out of superstitions are not keen to allow vaccination. “I have told the visiting doctors to take chocolates with them when they attended the children’,” said Jitendra Choudhury, Information Minister who recently visited Sabrum areas.