Dept: Bintulu records 48 cases of measles, affecting mainly kids
KUCHING: Bintulu Division recorded 48 cases of measles between April 13 and May 21 this year – affecting eight areas including housing zones, workers quarters at a sawmill and a kindergarten.
Twenty out of the 48 cases involve children aged seven and below.
State Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim have confirmed these cases following lab tests, adding that the main reason for the outbreak is the failure of patients to obtain vaccination.
“Of the 48 cases confirmed so far, 43 cases – or 89.58 per cent – involve those not receiving vaccination because they are aged less than six months; six cases (13.9 per cent) are of those never receiving vaccination; while the other 25 cases (58.1 per cent) are those with unknown immunisation status,” she said in a statement issued yesterday.
It has yet to be confirmed whether the parents of the infected children have neglected in getting vaccination, or refused it altogether. Measles is a contagious disease that can be prevented with vaccine shots.
Under the Children National Immunisation Programme, two doses of Measles- MumpsRubella ( MMR) vaccine shots are given to children aged nine to 12 months. Dr Jamilah also said the kindergarten had been ordered to close for a week after some its pupils came down with measles.
The pre- school reopened last Monday. On control and preventive measures, she said the department staff had been ordered to identify those who had been in contact with the patients but yet to receive vaccination; and children who had missed out on vaccination, and then have them (children) undergo vaccination.
Dr Jamilah also said disinfection is being carried out at the patients’ home, the affected workplace and education premises. The department could also order the education premises to be closed should the need arise, she added.
“So far, we have checked on 22,414 individuals and 675 of them have been given vaccine shots.
“We also advise those showing measles symptoms such as fever, rash, cough, flu or conjunctivitis to immediately seek medical attention at the nearest clinic or hospital. Early detection and treatment are vital in preventing the spread of this disease, and allow the patient to avoid suffering further complications,” she said.
Parents are also advised to bring their children to the nearest Klinik Kesihatan Ibu dan Anak (maternity and child’s health clinic) to receive the vaccine shots based on this schedule, or if they had missed out of getting them.