Bhubaneswar, May 10: Amid the rubella scare in Nabarangpur district, Director of Family Welfare Dr Bijay Panigrahy has issued advisory for pregnant women to be aware of the virus.
He has advised pregnant women to conduct measles and rubella (MR) test following development of fever symptoms with rashes as newborn babies are more prone to the virus.
Two children have tested positive for measles and rubella virus in Tentulikhunti and Nandahandi blocks of tribal-dominated Nabarangpur district. Their health condition is stated to be stable and both were found to be vaccinated.
The one-year-old boy, who tested positive for measles and rubella, had taken two shots of MR vaccine and the eight-year-old boy, who tested positive for rubella, was administered measles vaccine prior to 2018 as rubella vaccine was not introduced then.
Eighteen patients of the two blocks had developed symptoms of fever and rashes. Their health condition is stable. There is nothing to be worry. The RRT team is conducting surveillance in the area and immunization has been focused. The virus is affecting one year, six year and eight year old children. Children of this age group are under scanner, said Dr Bijay Panigrahy.
The district Collectors have been asked to step up surveillance of fever cases with rashes and send samples for scrub typhus, leptospirosis and MR tests, added Panigrahy.
