Suspected measles claims lives of 4 minors in Dima Hasao’s Semkhor

95% cases are similar to measles, but can only be ascertained after necessary lab tests, said Dr. Ravi Prakash Rai of the Maibang Primary Health Centre.

Reported by Swadeep Hasamsa

The Assam Health Department has swung into action after four children died following the outbreak of suspected measles in the Semkhor region of Assam’s Dima Hasao district.

More than 30 such cases, mostly minors, have been reported from the area triggering serious concerns.
District health officials are on the ground to ensure that the disease does not spread further besides ensuring that the children get immunized. However, the officials are waiting for necessary medical tests to ascertain whether these are confirmed cases of measles.

Dr. Ravi Prakash Rai of the Maibang Primary Health Centre spoke to Northeast Live and said, “Lots of cases were coming here in Maibang hospital, patients having fever with rashes came here for treatment. Few were suspected cases of Measles. We have come here to verify if it is true, whether vaccination has been done or not and how to prevent further complications. It is possible for self recovery in measles cases, but if not treated properly can cause deaths. We found patients (children) with symptoms of measles-fever, diarhoea, ear pain, rashes, we administered medicines to them such as antibiotics.
Almost all children below the age of 5 years are suffering from cold, which happens if the person is infected by measles. Few of them are showing signs of recovery, while others are still having fever, cold and some of them are also suffering from Diarrhea. A death has been reported but only necessary medical reports can establish this whether it has been caused by measles. 95% cases are similar to measles, but can only be ascertained after necessary lab tests.”

Dr. Tilak Deka of Maibang PHC also suspected that the patients (children) were not vaccinated because of which they are infected now.

He said, “Though the exact numbers are not ascertained, at least 30 cases are there. 6 have been referred to Haflong, there are no deaths here. The first case was reported on March 10-12. 95% cases are measles. The cases witnessed a sudden spike. Maximum patients are below 8 years. There are vaccines available to prevent this disease, but they (patients) were not administered vaccines. This is an airborne disease. The cases are highest in Semkhor. The children who are weak, not immunized are more prone to this disease. If not properly treated on time, it can lead to loss of eyesight, and conditions can aggravate causing pneumonia.”

Semkhor is one of the remotest villages in Dima Hasao district, it is only around 30 km away from Sub-Divisional town Maibang.

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