Measles Outbreak Sparks Fear in Baglung's Dhorpatan; Isolation Wards Established

Baglung. Fear has spread in the village following the detection of measles infection in Dhorpatan, Baglung. Measles infection has been confirmed in five individuals in Dhorpatan Municipality Wards 7, 8, and 9, while suspicious symptoms have been observed in 74 others.

Provincial Public Health Office Baglung Information Officer Devprakash Ghimire informed that a 26-bed isolation facility has been constructed at Bobang Health Post and Burtibang Hospital due to the recent increase in patients. According to him, infected patients have been placed in isolation and treatment has commenced.

Ghimire stated that fear has gripped the local residents of the village following the measles outbreak in Dhorpatan and urged everyone to adopt necessary precautions. He requested that anyone showing suspicious symptoms immediately contact the health office and informed that preparations are underway to launch a vaccination campaign to stop the spread of the infection.

He added that measles infection has been confirmed in five individuals, and swabs from 14 people have been sent to the National Public Health Laboratory in Teku, Kathmandu, for sample testing. Ghimire mentioned that suspicious symptoms have been observed in individuals aged between ten and twenty years.

He said, "We have intensified the search and treatment of suspected patients. Patients are being treated at Burtibang Hospital and Bobang Health Post; some patients have returned home after treatment, while others are still undergoing treatment."

Pravin Sharma, Chief of the Provincial Public Health Office Baglung, informed that after symptoms of infection were seen in some parts of the village on Falgun 8, health workers reached the village for investigation, risk identification, communication, health awareness, and increased treatment and monitoring. He stated that 6,763 people in this area will be vaccinated against measles.

Chief Sharma announced that a special measles vaccination campaign will be conducted from Falgun 29 to Chaitra 1. Dhorpatan Municipality has announced that schools in the area have also been closed following the spread of the infection throughout the village.