KUCHING: A kindergarten in Bintulu was forced to close for seven days last week amid a measles outbreak that has infected 48 people since April 13.
The Sarawak Health Department took immediate action to contain the outbreak, which affected eight residential areas including the living quarters of a sawmill for foreign workers, said the state Health director Dr Jamilah Hashim.
Of the 48 positive cases, 19 victims caught measles from the outbreak, while 29 others were sporadic (single cases). The outbreak affected 20 children below seven years old.
“We carried out strict monitoring and preventive measures to curb further outbreak of the disease from identified areas, which is very important especially to protect infants below six months, immunocompromised patients, and senior citizens.
“We conducted door-to-door inspections at workplaces, checked the vaccination status of children at affected areas, as well as identifying those yet to receive their shots,” she said in a statement Friday (May 25).
To date, the department has checked 22,414 people including administering measles vaccinations to 675 individuals in the affected areas.
Dr Jamilah advised individuals with symptoms of measles such as fever, skin rash, coughing, flu or conjunctivitis, to seek immediate treatment at nearby clinics or hospitals.
This is to avoid further health complications, as well as to contain measles outbreak, she added.
“Measles can be prevented with vaccination. Under the national children immunisation programme, two doses of measles-mumps-rubella shots will be given to babies aged nine months and 12 months.
“Parents are advised to ensure their children have received these shots according to the immunisation schedule set by the Health Ministry.
“Children who miss their shots must be vaccinated at the health clinic,” Dr Jamilah said.
She also urged those with measles and who are coughing to wear a facemask.
The Health Department is actively carrying out awareness programmes at the affected areas and surrounding vicinity on the importance of immunisation for children below seven years old.
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