The Nagaland Health Department has significantly stepped up surveillance, vaccination drives, and public awareness initiatives across Tizit Block in Mon district after laboratory tests confirmed positive cases of measles.
High-Level Review Meeting at Tizit Community Health Centre
A crucial block-level meeting was convened at the Community Health Centre in Tizit to thoroughly review the unfolding outbreak situation and finalize a comprehensive response strategy. The discussions were guided under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer Supongmenla Walling alongside District Programme Manager Moie Bonnie Konyak.
Immunization Micro-Plan and World Health Organization Collaboration
The administrative session closely evaluated the existing immunisation micro-plan and deliberated extensively on bolstering coordination with the regional World Health Organization team to tighten disease surveillance and containment protocols.
Targeted Vaccination Campaign Schedule and Demographics
As part of the structured response blueprint, a dedicated measles vaccination campaign is scheduled to officially kick off by October 12, following a series of pre-campaign awareness drives across the region. Under this rollout, children falling in the age bracket between five and 10 years will receive their doses directly through schools, whereas toddlers and infants below five years of age will be covered via local Anganwadi centres and targeted home visits by health workers.
Compilation of School Records and Unvaccinated Lists
Local health officials are actively compiling updated school enrolment registers alongside tracking lists of children who remain unvaccinated, ensuring that every eligible child is successfully reached and covered during the upcoming immunization push.
WHO Field Investigation and Administrative Coordination
Following the initial review sessions, a specialized WHO delegation toured Tizit Block to conduct an on-ground field investigation and independently evaluate the severity of the outbreak. The visiting inspection team comprised Dr. M A H Azhar, who serves as the Surveillance Medical Officer for WHO Mokokchung, alongside Dr. Jayaseelan Vedamuthu, the Surveillance In-charge for the Northeast Region.
Upon completing their field assessments, the WHO delegation and health officials held a strategic conference with the local district administration, represented by Mon Additional Deputy Commissioner Pakon Phom.
Strengthening Community Outreach and Public Vigilance
The deliberations placed heavy emphasis on reinforcing cooperative ties between the Health Department and the district administration, specifically concerning public awareness campaigns and information dissemination across affected rural settlements. The delegation carried out thorough field-level appraisals to support ongoing containment measures alongside district health authorities.
In light of these developments, the Health Department has strongly urged the general public to maintain strict vigilance and seek prompt medical intervention if clinical symptoms such as high fever and skin rashes manifest. Parents, educators, village council authorities, and local community leaders have likewise been called upon to cooperate fully with frontline health workers and actively champion the ongoing vaccination and awareness initiatives.
