Tasaduq Hussain
Kupwara, May 15: Authorities in Kupwara district Monday said that outbreak of measles in Farkin village is under control and medical teams have been deployed there for regular surveillance and safety of the entire population.
On Friday last week, it was reported about the measles outbreak at Farkin village. Initially then only 5 cases of the virus were reported.
Concerned Block Medical Officer (BMO) Kralpora Dr Javaid Iqbal Lone said that soon after receiving information about the outbreak they dispatched a team of doctors and paramedics there.
“Patients were given treatment and awareness about the disease including the precautionary measures were told to people. Patients were isolated as well,” he said.
He said that field staff were also present there. “I also visited the spot to ascertain the situation due to the measles virus outbreak. The situation is under control. The outbreak isn’t that big. Even yesterday (Sunday) the local medical centre was open for people to facilitate them with whatever required,” Dr Javaid said.
He also said that medical teams have gone there today as well.
About the active number of the virus cases, he said that the total number of cases have reached 14 in the area. “There is nothing to worry about. Our medical teams are monitoring the situation very closely,” he said.
Officials said that a team of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) was sent there today. “The IDSP team will collect the samples. The samples will go for testing.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus. It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air. The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body. Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
About its spread, the WHO said that it is spread by coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. “The first sign of measles is usually a high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts 4 to 7 days. A runny nose, a cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage.”
