Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Agartala: Tripura authorities have ramped up surveillance and preventive health measures to combat a potential surge in measles and rubella. The move follows reports of a significant spike in cases across the border in Bangladesh, where officials have linked the outbreak to more than 200 deaths.
District Magistrate Megha Jain confirmed that cases have already appeared in areas including Latiapura and Irani. Because the viruses are highly contagious, officials are particularly concerned about the safety of young children. While standard vaccination schedules cover children up to 15 months, the state is now extending coverage to include all children up to 10 years old.
Health workers are conducting door-to-door surveys and hosting local health camps to monitor for symptoms like fever and skin rashes. Officials noted that while the first dose of the MR vaccine has reached 99.9 percent coverage in Unakoti, some families remain hesitant about the second dose. Authorities are working to counter misinformation and encourage full immunization.
Surveillance at border entry points has been intensified ahead of the upcoming festive season. Officials warned that the next two weeks are a critical window for containment, as a single infected person can quickly transmit the virus to others. Parents are urged to contact local healthcare providers immediately if their children display any signs of illness.
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