Aizawl: A high-level review meeting was held in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district to assess preparedness and strengthen preventive measures against a potential measles outbreak from neighbouring Bangladesh.
The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Donny Lalruatsanga at his office on Tuesday, focused on intensifying surveillance and ensuring timely interventions in the border district, which shares an international boundary with Bangladesh.
Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, Lalruatsanga said that over a hundred deaths due to measles have reportedly been recorded in Bangladesh, underlining the need for proactive measures to prevent the disease from entering the district.
Given Lawngtlai’s proximity to the border, he urged both officials and residents to remain vigilant. He stressed that children below the age of five are particularly vulnerable and called on parents to ensure timely administration of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine.
The Deputy Commissioner also directed departments concerned to issue advance advisories and strengthen preventive mechanisms, while calling for enhanced vigilance in border villages. He urged community leaders to actively support awareness and prevention efforts.
Officials said common symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes, and advised that individuals showing such symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Health authorities informed the meeting that both district and block-level task forces are actively engaged in monitoring and prevention efforts. The administration said coordinated action involving village councils, NGOs, churches and the public would be further strengthened.
Senior Chief Medical Officer Lalmuanawma Jongte emphasised that vaccination remains the most effective safeguard against measles and stressed the need to achieve over 95 per cent coverage under the MR vaccination programme. He noted that the vaccine is administered in two doses—between 9 and 12 months, and 16 and 24 months of age.
Describing measles as a highly contagious airborne disease, he said surveillance has been intensified across the district. Rapid Response Teams have been activated at primary and community health centres, while mobile vaccination teams have been kept on standby. Adequate stocks of MR vaccines and Vitamin A are available, he added.
Lalhlimpuii of the World Health Organization (WHO) said measles cases had been reported in Lawngtlai during January and February last year, but no fatalities were recorded due to timely intervention. She noted that incomplete vaccination remains a concern and said efforts are being intensified to address the gap. No cases have been reported so far this year, she added.
District Immunisation Officer Remlalnghaki presented data on MR1 and MR2 vaccination coverage for children under one year between April 2025 and March 2026, along with HPV vaccination figures. While MR1 coverage remains satisfactory, MR2 coverage is relatively low, prompting targeted efforts to improve uptake. She added that initiatives are also underway to strengthen HPV vaccination coverage in the district.