Bomdila, Oct 29: The District Task Force meeting-cum-workshop on Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance (AFP) and Measles-Rubella Surveillance Status was held today here at the DC Conference Hall under the chairmanship of West Kameng DC Karma Leki.

State Surveillance Officer, WHO and Resource Person Dr. Ushma Dharod informed that there is increase in the number of positive cases of Wild Poliovirus-type-1 (WPV1) in the neighbouring countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that the pandemic situation has posed a threat for increase in positive cases in the country. Sharing the data on Acute Flaccid Paralysis Surveillance (AFP) of Northeast states, she highlighted  the poor quality of reporting, wherein Arunachal Pradesh stands at the bottom in the region with 13 reported cases and Assam at the top with 369 in 2019. The rate of decline in reporting has been noticed in the state where it dipped to 6 in 2020 from 36 in 2012, the WHO SSO added, also drawing attention to ‘nil’ cases in West Kameng district since 2018 for Measles and Rubella. This is in contradiction to the Expected Minimum Cases Ratio where it should be at least 1 for APV and 2 for Measles/Rubella in the district.

Besides elaborating on the statistics, she also briefed on the symptoms of AFP, Measles and Rubella. AFP can be detected through symptoms like sudden weakness and floppiness in any part of the body in a child up to 15 years of age or paralysis in any person of any age which might indicate a suspected case of polio. There is no age limit for manifestation of Measles and Rubella and they can be detected through symptoms like fever and maculopapular rash with cough, runny noses, red eyes, node enlargement and joint pains, she informed.

Sample collecting kits and posters were distributed to Medical Officers and doctors and training for their use was also provided. Dr. T. D. Namsa reported that in the second quarter, Routine Immunization (RI) has made a coverage of 81% and Full Immunization (FI) has covered 64% of the target so far in the district and the third quarter of the RI and FI will be conducted from October.

The DC asked the District Medical Department to work hard for improving the Expected Minimum Cases Ratio and coordinate with Dr. Dharod and the State WHO unit in this regard to keep West Kameng free from the above diseases.

ADC, AE (DUDA), DMO, DRCHO, MO I/cs, DD (ICDS), DDSE and other officials attended the meeting. DIPRO