Biological Hazard - India, State of Madhya Pradesh, Meghnagar

Earth Watch Report  -  Biological Hazards

Measles

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Biological Hazard

India

State of Madhya Pradesh, Meghnagar

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RSOE EDIS

Biological Hazard in India on Tuesday, 06 May, 2014 at 03:03 (03:03 AM) UTC.

Description The contagious disease measles, popularly known as 'Chhoti Mata’ is spreading in the villages, which fall under the CHC (Community Health Centre) of village Madrani. Till now, the disease has claimed lives of two children in village Dhebar and of one infant girl in Vasunia Sat Falia of Madrani. After the death of two children, the health department held a check-up camp and found 29 children affected by this disease. However, as per unofficial guess, the number of affected children may be more than double of this number. As an instance, Rajia Bhuria of village Kelkua his two sons and one daughter are affected by this disease, but he did not contact doctors and went to the 'Badwa’ (traditional faith healer), who tied a sacred thread on the hands of affected children. The tribal still believe in these sorts of faith healers and the treatment of worshipping the Mataji (deity) can heal the suffering children. Because of these superstitions, many of the tribal have not approached to the doctors and therefore, the health department does not know the right number of affected children.Superstitions and inefficient CHC together multiplying the problem Another aspect of this situation is the various drawbacks of this CHC of Madrani. The most important is of insufficient staff provided at this health centre. There is only one doctor and one ANM at this centre, who have the responsibility of more than a dozen villages around this CHC. Moreover, many villagers among the thousands of villagers living in these villages have complaint that, when they come to the CHC, they do not find the doctor or nurse here. In these circumstances, the villagers again get turned towards the 'Badwas or Tantriks’. Many times, when the disease gets cured naturally or due to use of some herbs, their faith in these faith healers become stronger. Because of high influence of such superstitions in these areas, these people do not approach to doctors and the result is evident that even after the death of three children, people are not bringing the affected children to the doctors. During the check-up camp and visits of doctors, many malnourished children were also seen, but the doctors ignored their need for treatment and dietary recommendations or providing them the facilities of government schemes for malnourished children.What doctors said? "Symptoms of measles were found in 29 children, among them 3 died and 24 children have recovered, to whom, the dose of vitamin A were given. Two more children are recovering". Dr. Ajnar, Madrani Community Health Centre "This is a viral disease, which spread in May-June and usually after every four years. The department is trying its best for treatment of affected children, but due to lack of awareness, the villagers are not bringing the children to the hospital". Biohazard name: Measles (fatal) Biohazard level: 2/4 Medium Biohazard desc.: Bacteria and viruses that cause only mild disease to humans, or are difficult to contract via aerosol in a lab setting, such as hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza A, Lyme disease, salmonella, mumps, measles, scrapie, dengue fever, and HIV. "Routine diagnostic work with clinical specimens can be done safely at Biosafety Level 2, using Biosafety Level 2 practices and procedures. Research work (including co-cultivation, virus replication studies, or manipulations involving concentrated virus) can be done in a BSL-2 (P2) facility, using BSL-3 practices and procedures. Virus production activities, including virus concentrations, require a BSL-3 (P3) facility and use of BSL-3 practices and procedures", see Recommended Biosafety Levels for Infectious Agents. Symptoms: Status: confirmed

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Measles spreads in villages, 3 die, over 30 affected

— By FP NEWS SERVICE,  May 06, 2014 12:33 am

Meghnagar: The contagious disease measles, popularly known as ‘Chhoti Mata’ is spreading in the villages, which fall under the CHC (Community Health Centre) of village Madrani. Till now, the disease has claimed lives of two children in village Dhebar and of one infant girl in Vasunia Sat Falia of Madrani.

After the death of two children, the health department held a check-up camp and found 29 children affected by this disease. However, as per unofficial guess, the number of affected children may be more than double of this number.

As an instance, Rajia Bhuria of village Kelkua his two sons and one daughter are affected by this disease, but he did not contact doctors and went to the ‘Badwa’ (traditional faith healer), who tied a sacred thread on the hands of affected children. The tribal still believe in these sorts of faith healers and the treatment of worshipping the Mataji (deity) can heal the suffering children.

Because of these superstitions, many of the tribal have not approached to the doctors and therefore, the health department does not know the right number of affected children.Superstitions and inefficient CHC together multiplying the problem Another aspect of this situation is the various drawbacks of this CHC of Madrani.

The most important is of insufficient staff provided at this health centre. There is only one doctor and one ANM at this centre, who have the responsibility of more than a dozen villages around this CHC. Moreover, many villagers among the thousands of villagers living in these villages have complaint that, when they come to the CHC, they do not find the doctor or nurse here.

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