Health steps up measures to control outbreak

Caption: (L) Dr Datta, Dr Wuatai, Gerald Sui, holding up awareness material used in the campaign.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 9, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

NCD Health through the Department of Health has stepped up its efforts to control the spread of measles in the nation’s capital Port Moresby, following the announcement of the measles outbreak three weeks ago. 

Since the first case was reported on February 13, there have now been nine confirmed cases so far- with case age groups ranging from six months to the oldest case at 17 years old.

Suburbs affected so far with cases include; North Waigani, Rainbow, Gerehu Stage 2, Boroko, Tokarara, and 8 Mile.

Director of Public Health for NCD, Dr Niko Wuatai, reassured the city’s residents that the Department of Health had dispatched teams to the affected areas, however, cautioned all to take preventative measures by getting immunised at local clinics and stations that will be set up throughout the city.

“Teams have been sent out to the affected areas where cases have been confirmed, to control the spread,” he said.

“The campaign is targeting those ages between six month olds to 20 year olds, with doses of Vitamin A, also provided to 6-12 month old babies.”

He said that teams dispatched had already vaccinated over 3,000 persons to date, which did not include those vaccinated in the various public clinics in the city.

“We gave notice to all 20 urban clinics to provide measles vaccines to both adults and children- with sufficient vaccine doses in stock,” Dr Wuatai said.

“We are also planning to have 30 sites around the city where mobile teams will be stationed, to hopefully start next week.”

“Our target for NCD to cover the said age groups is vaccinating 170,000 people which is 50 per cent of the population in the city.”

Dr Wuatai added that it would be a huge task for them to undertake to vaccinate as many as possible, with a main focus on children in settlements.

He also pointed out that children who had already received measles immunization treatment would still have to receive the additional does to amplify their resistance against the highly contagious disease.

Pediatrics Specialist Dr Fiona Kupe, explained that the disease affects the respiratory system, staying in the throat area and spreading when the affected person coughs and sneezes.

“There are no signs for the first nine days of getting affected- only after day 10, fever will set in followed by coughing, the flu, and a running nose,” she said.

“By day 14, rashes appear that are of reddish discoloration and may be around four to seven days.”

She said that it was the complications of the disease were the major concern, because of its tendency to weaken the immune system, thus exposing those affected to other illnesses which were life threatening, mainly for young children.