Measles Scare In Three Districts Of Odisha, Health Department On Alert

Bhubaneswar: With several measles cases reported from three districts, Odisha might witness return of the viral disease, said Dr Nilakantha Mishra, Director, Public Health.

Speaking to media in Bhubaneswar on Friday, Dr Mishra said confirmed measles cases have been reported from Kandhamal’s Raikia, Ganjam’s Sorada and a few cases from Puri district.

Stating that nearly 30 cases were reported from Raikia, he said many of them have recovered, but five patients were still undergoing treatment. Dr Mishra had visited Padiguda village under Raikia block and Sorada to take stock of the situation.

“The samples collected from infected persons had been sent to the laboratory and all tested positive. We are also following containment strategies to curb further spread of the viral disease,” he added.

Detailing about the measures taken so far, he said all possible steps were being taken to contain the outbreak. The vaccination drives were being carried out across the state, he added.

Asked why the measles had resurfaced and was spreading so fast, Dr Mishra said after the COVID pandemic, immunity level of people has gone down. That might have helped the reemergence of measles in the state.

Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, running nose and rashes all over the body. There is no cure for measles till date. The virus must run its course, which usually takes 10 to 14 days. However, vaccination is the best prevention from getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people.