SENAPATI, August 1: In a concerted effort to combat a growing measles outbreak, the Senapati District Administration convened a multi-stakeholder meeting and awareness programme today at the DRDA Conference Hall. The initiative brought together key players from the Health Department, ICDS, schools, civil society groups, and faith-based organizations to address both the medical emergency and underlying vaccine hesitancy fueling the crisis.

As of July 31, the district has recorded 54 suspected measles cases since June. Eleven of these have been laboratory-confirmed, with six returning negative results and 18 still awaiting confirmation. Alarmingly, ten of the confirmed cases were in children who had not received a single dose of the measles vaccine.

The outbreak has been primarily traced to specific clusters including Council River Colony, Phyamai Vabuh, TNK Gate, Yapao Colony near DV School, and the Mt. Everest area leading to Emesiiphro. A rapid survey conducted in these localities revealed worrying immunization gaps—28% of children in the Mt. Everest area were found unvaccinated, while 57% had only partial immunization. Similar trends were observed in Yapao Colony and Old Monday Market.

Health experts at the meeting reiterated the severe implications of measles, a highly contagious viral disease spread through airborne droplets. Its symptoms include fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, and it remains infectious from four days before to four days after the rash appears. Complications can be severe, ranging from pneumonia and diarrhea to encephalitis, blindness, and death. The virus is also known to cause immune amnesia, leaving infected individuals vulnerable to other diseases for months or even years.

The gathering emphasized the urgency of coordinated action, recalling the December 2022 measles outbreak in Mumbai slums where 16 children died due to low vaccination coverage.

To contain the outbreak, the Health Department will spearhead investigations, provide treatment, and roll out mass vaccination drives targeting children aged 9 months to 5 years. Schools and ICDS centres will support the effort through community surveillance and awareness activities. Religious leaders and civil society organizations have pledged to counter misinformation and encourage families to vaccinate their children.

District officials stressed that the fight against measles requires collective responsibility. “This is not just a health department issue,” one official noted. “It’s a community issue. We must all work together to prevent further loss and ensure a healthy future for our children.”