The measles outbreak has suddenly increased in Naogaon and Pabna districts. Most of the infected patients are children.
NAOGAON: The prevalence of the infectious disease measles has suddenly begun to increase in the district. So far, eight measles patients have been identified. Additionally, a child from Naogaon District, who resides in Dhaka, has died there (in Dhaka).
The District Health Department says it is on high alert, taking the measles outbreak seriously. However, relatives have numerous complaints regarding the healthcare services.
According to the office of the District Civil Surgeon (CS), 41 patients with symptoms of measles have been found in the district. Of these, eight have tested positive in laboratory tests. The affected individuals are residents of Naogaon Sadar, Porsha, Niamatpur, Sapahar, Atrai and Manda upazilas.
The highest prevalence has appeared in Ward No. 5 of Naogaon Municipality and a ward in Bhabicha Union of Niamatpur Upazila. Additionally, a child from the Bangabaria area of Naogaon town is admitted to the Sadar Hospital as a suspected case.
Visiting the Paediatric Department of the 250-bed General Hospital on Monday, it was seen to be packed with patients. Due to a bed shortage, many patients are receiving treatment on the floor. Opposite Ward 20, 70 patients with symptoms including colds and fever are admitted.
Relatives complain that with two to three patients sharing a single bed in the ward, the risk of infection is increasing. In this situation, relatives fear not receiving proper treatment and the extreme risk of the disease spreading. Meanwhile, doctors and nurses are struggling to provide care.
Parul Akhtar, mother of a child from the Pajorbhanga area of Manda Upazila, said, 'A few days ago, my son cried all night and had body itching. He also had a fever. At one point, the boy became seriously ill. Local people saw him and said it was measles. Later, when I came to the hospital and saw a paediatrician, I was told to admit him. That's why I admitted him to the hospital.'
Jobeda Begum from Harishpur Village in Mirat Union, Raninagar Upazila, said, 'My grandson had a fever for a few days. Later, he started having convulsions, his hands and feet became stiff, and his condition deteriorated. Afterwards, we admitted him to the hospital. But without getting a bed in the hospital, he is receiving treatment on the floor.'
A relative of another patient, Md. Mission from Chakdebpara in the Naogaon town, said, 'Treatment for diarrhoea, fever and measles is being given in the same way in the same ward. There is no separate arrangement.' He complained, 'My brother-in-law had a fever. When we came to the hospital, they said there is no thermometer to measure the fever. They are guessing the temperature by hand and giving medicine accordingly. If we have to come to an important place like a hospital and receive medicine based on guesswork, when will our healthcare be guaranteed?'
Jenat Rehena, in-charge of the Children's Ward, said, 'For the past few days, many patients with fever have been coming. Alongside this, they have coughs and reddish rashes on their bodies. Due to this increased patient pressure, we are struggling to provide care. Even so, we are all trying to provide care to everyone on time.'
Dr Abu Jar Gaffar, Residential Medical Officer (RMO) of Naogaon 250-bed General Hospital, said, 'There has been a measles outbreak in the district, which is increasing at an alarming rate. Currently, one patient is being treated at the hospital as a suspected case. For this, a separate cabin has been designated as an isolation ward. It will be expanded if necessary.'
CS Dr Aminul Islam, said, 'Following the threat of a measles outbreak, the Health Department is on high alert. Isolation wards have already been prepared at the district Sadar hospital as well as at every upazila health complex. So far, eight measles patients have been identified in the district. A child from Naogaon District living in Dhaka died there after being infected with measles.'
He further said, 'A measles outbreak has occurred in Ward No. 5 of Naogaon Municipality and a ward in Bhabicha Union of Niamatpur Upazila. In these areas, to boost immunity, one high-potency Vitamin A capsule each is being given to children in approximately 40 houses surrounding the affected individuals. Additionally, as suspected patients have been found in Porsha, Sapahar, Manda and Atrai upazilas, more extensive searching activities are underway in those areas. As part of the measles vaccination programme in May, a booster dose of the MR vaccine will be given to children. He also urged anyone showing symptoms of measles to consult a doctor without delay.'
PABNA: The number of patients infected with the disease has risen in hospitals. Most of the infected patients are children.
Currently, 27 people are undergoing treatment at Pabna General Hospital. However, no deaths have been reported so far. Relatives of the patients have complaints about the medical service.
According to information from the 250-bed Pabna General Hospital, five people have been newly admitted to the hospital after contracting measles till Tuesday.
Over the past seven days, 27 people from the district have been admitted with the disease. Additionally, the number of infected people from 1 January to 29 March is 118. Meanwhile, of the 27 patients currently undergoing treatment in the hospital's children's ward, 25 are children aged three to twelve months.
According to hospital information, a total of two young men have been admitted to the medicine ward; one is 22 years old and the other is 32. On Sunday afternoon, a visit to Pabna General Hospital showed that the children's ward was packed with patients, leaving no room to walk.
Two or three children are admitted to each bed in the children's ward. Children infected with measles are being treated in a glass-enclosed room on the veranda of this ward. There too, two children are in each bed, and four children are being treated on the floor.
Smriti Khatun, a housewife from Ashutoshpur Village in Pabna Sadar Upazila, admitted her four-month-old daughter to the hospital on 26 March. Her child has still not recovered. She said that her daughter first developed a cold.
Then red bumps appeared on her body and face. She writhed in unbearable pain and could not sleep in bed. In such a situation, they came to the hospital on the advice of doctors. Later, the doctors diagnosed her with measles after testing.
Dr Tanvir Islam, the doctor in charge of the hospital's children's ward, said, 'As the number of measles patients increases, we are keeping them in a separate place and making arrangements for treatment. There is no problem for now. We are keeping the matter under surveillance.'
Dr Md. Rafiqul Hasan, Assistant Director of the 250-bed Pabna General Hospital, said, 'This is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Measles can affect people of any age, including children. There is no crisis in treating the admitted patients for now.'
Regarding the complaints of the patients' relatives, the Assistant Director said, 'Over 200 patients are admitted to the 38-bed paediatric ward every day. We are provided with medicines for those 38 beds. In this case, some problems remain.' However, he said that a new ward for measles will be opened.
The doctor believes that the health department needs to investigate why the measles outbreak has suddenly increased even after the measles vaccine was administered.
In this regard, Pabna CS Dr Abul Kalam Azad said, 'Almost two to four measles patients are being admitted in every upazila health complex. That is why separate isolation centres have been set up in nine upazila health complexes of the district.
The number of children aged nine months or less is high. Since people are getting infected with measles again even after receiving the vaccine at nine months, it is time to think about this issue anew.'
