Fear of increased measles infection during Anand Yatra
Millions of people are leaving the capital to celebrate Eid with their relatives. It always happens, this time is no exception. However, experts fear that this Eid travel may increase the infection during the outbreak of measles. They are also disappointed not to see the attention of the government in that regard.
Eid-ul-Azha holiday started today Monday. But people are leaving Dhaka before that. This journey will continue until the day before Eid next Thursday. Bangladesh University of Engineering researchers have shown that 1.2 million to 1.5 million people leave Dhaka in the three-four days before Eid.
Measles outbreak occurred in the country at the beginning of this year. Deaths from measles and its symptoms have already crossed 500. The number of identified patients has exceeded 60 thousand. As the situation worsened, the government started a special vaccination program on April 5, but infections and deaths are not decreasing. As a result, anxiety and fear are also increasing among people.
Virologist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University (former BSMMU) Professor Nazrul Islam, public health specialist Bay-Nazir Ahmad and pediatrician Professor Abid Hossain Mollah have warned that the infection may spread further due to overcrowding during Eid Yatra, mass movement of people and increased contact with children.
According to experts, even in the joy of Eid, extra caution is necessary this time. Because even a little carelessness can create a big wave of new infections.
"Infection may increase after Eid"
From May 18 to 24, 64 people died of measles and its symptoms. 40 people died in the previous seven days.
Professor Nazrul Islam told Prothom Alo that the way measles has spread across the country, there is a danger that the infection will increase after the Eid holiday.
Explaining the reason for this, Nazrul Islam said, Measles is a highly contagious viral disease and is mainly spread through breathing. If an uninfected child goes to an area where measles is already prevalent, he or she may become infected by coming into contact with an infected child.
Public transport is overcrowded during Eid Yatra. This doctor also showed that as a reason for increased risk. He said, if there is an infected child in a bus, launch or train, there will be a risk of infecting other children.
"Children may be affected by going to hotspots"
Public health specialist Be-Nazir Ahmad says that measles can spread in two ways during the Eid holidays.
First, a family may move to an area that is already a measles 'hotspot'. Even healthy children can get infected there. Second, if an infected child travels with symptoms, the infection may spread to others en route or at destination.
Be-Nazir Ahmad told Prothom Alo that the treatment management of measles outside Dhaka is very weak. It has already been proven. As a result, if a child is infected in a remote area, the situation can become critical.
Be-Nazeer Ahmed's advice is to avoid long journeys with children under five years of age unless absolutely necessary.
Pediatrician Professor Abid Hossain Molla thinks that it is not panic, but increasing awareness is the most important thing now.
According to experts, some simple precautions during the Eid trip can reduce the risk of infection. Especially parents of children should be more careful.
Professor Nazrul Islam said, parents must use masks. However, it is not always easy to use masks for children, that should be taken into consideration.
Doctors say that it is better not to travel with a child if he has symptoms like fever, red eyes, cough or body rash. At the same time, they advised to avoid crowded environment, unclean places and contact with infected people.
Professor Abid Hossain Molla advised to avoid crowds with children as the measles virus spreads through the air. He told Prothom Alo, if it is possible to go or go later, then it is better not to take children under five years old this time (Eid). However, people's emotions are involved in the matter. So the most important thing is to be careful.
Government 'not interested'
Sanaullah, a private employee, was very careful while taking his two children to the village home for Eid. His caution about measles. One of his children is seven years old, another four years old. With these two children and his wife, Sanaullah went to Borhanuddin upazila of Bhola village in the launch. He boarded the launch from Dhaka's Sadarghat.
Sanaullah did not see any instructions on how people can be safe from measles infection. He said, 'I have not seen any publicity about this. I am careful. Many may not be.
The experts also said that despite the increase in measles infection, the government is not paying attention to the issue of Eid trip.
Professor Abid Hossain Molla said, "There is a need for extensive government public awareness campaign about measles." We don't see that very much.
Professor Nazrul Islam also said the same thing. According to him, "It seems that the government is indifferent. Maybe there is an attempt to show the disease as minor.
The government has already canceled the leave of doctors and nurses who are in charge of treating measles patients and ordered them not to leave their workplaces.
However, it is not the main solution, commented the former director general of the health department, Be Nazir Ahmad.
Be-Nazir Ahmad said, the easiest way is to instruct the doctors and nurses in this way. Just issue a circular. But so that the disease does not spread, there is no such initiative.
According to Baynazeer Ahmad, the government should now focus on increasing public awareness, increasing rapid surveillance in affected areas and ensuring vaccination of children.
Director of the Disease Control Branch of the Department of Health, Professor Halimur Rashid, refused to comment on the matter.
