German measles outbreak in Manipur

Satyajit Usham

With confirmed cases in Imphal East district, the state of Manipur is witnessing an outbreak of German measles, for the first time in its history. German measles, a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles, lasts three to four days.

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FOR THE first time in its history, the state of Manipur, is witnessing an outbreak of German measles, with confirmed cases in Imphal East district. German measles, a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles, lasts three to four days and can damage a foetus during the first trimester.

Dr W Motilal, Director of Health Services, in the Manipur government, said that the State's first-ever outbreak of German measles, had been confirmed in the Khurai Puthiba locality of Imphal East district. The results of nine samples which had been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD) in New Delhi for testing, have returned as positive.

Dr Motilal reported that the laboratory testing for German measles was confirmed on July 16, though the report was received only on Friday (July 17). He added that the test conducted in the Indian Council of Medical Research at Dibrugarh on the urine samples and the throat swabs collected from Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai,following suspected outbreak of measles in first week of last months, have been found to be negative.

Following suspected cases of measles in Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai area in the first week of June, health workers have also screened 832 children in the age group of three to 13 years in the neighbouring Khurai Puthiba Leikai. Out of the 30 children showing signs of fever, samples of nine children had been send to the NICD for testing and all nine samples tested positive for German measles. Taking serious note of the development, the director of health services has written to the State government recommending inclusion of MMR - Measles, Mumps and Rubella in the normal immunisation of children.

According to doctors of the health services, German measles is a milder form of measles that lasts for three to four days. The main symptoms include fever and distinct red spots followed by rashes. The viral infection can be spread through droplets from sneezing and coughing. In the case of a male child, the virus normally attacks the heart, while it may lead to blindness in case of female child. The doctors added that the outbreak of German measles was common during summer season.