Government has quarantined the outbreak of measles to the Naga Self-Administered Region and 10 vaccines against infectious diseases will soon be provided across the country, according to Dr Htar Htar Lin, deputy director of vaccination at the Ministry of Health.
“Currently, there was no measles outbreak and no deaths elsewhere. The outbreak of measles has been controlled with 85 per cent of Lahe Township vaccinated. We are going to distribute 10 vaccines in October, November and December,” the Eleven Myanmar quoted Dr Htar Htar Lin as saying.
“In Nanyun, there are many reasons for the deaths. Some died from flu. We didn’t find many infectious symptoms. Poor health care is largely to blame,” said Htar Htar Lin. Difficult transport links and language barriers had increased the problem, she added.
The Ministry of Health Minister said its staff must vaccinate Shan, Kayin, Kayah, Chin and Rakhine states.
The Irrawaddy on Wednesday reported that insufficient aid to Naga area was contributing to more measles casualties.
Worms infest rice crop
Even as the Naga villages are currently suffering from a measles outbreak, with nearly 80 children killed so far, the Eleven Myanmar reports that paddy fields in Pansaung in the Naga SAZ are reportedly infested with two species of rice worm.
“The fields are being attacked by worms randomly in nine village tracts in Pansaung. Twenty acres were totally destroyed. We have received pesticide from the regional government and the Naga Self-Administered Zone authorities. There are over 4,000 acres infected,” said Nyo Win from the regional agricultural department.