The BPHWT’s medic Saw Del Del told KIC News that children from Bway Htaw Yu, Ka Pi Khee, Wah Taw Ka Lar, and Htee Law Thi Hta villages under Dwe Lo Township started catching measles since the last week of August and the disease has spread to Me Khu Khee, Po Baw Khee, Kwee Nal, and Plaw Phar Leh villages under Bu Tho Township up to September 10.

“It broke out in another four villages from the 6th to 10th this month (September 6 to 10). There are over 100 patients up to the 7th and 8th (September 7 and 8), with an increase of 10 patients per day. But, our health workers are closely monitoring and treating them so some of the earlier patients have recovered,” he said.

Fifty-three children from this area first  contracted measles since August 24 and the number of patients have rose to 117 up to September 10. Twelve patients have recovered from among the earlier patients and 105 patients are currently being closely monitored and treated, Saw Del Del continued.

The BPHWT initially assigned 12 health workers to monitor and treat the measles patients and it has sent 12 more health workers due to the spreading of the disease. Health workers from the Karen Department of Health and Welfare (KDHW) and the SMRU team have also been cooperating with the BPHWT, according to the BPHWT.

Symptoms for measles include high fever, skin rash, cough, mouth ulcer, inflamed eyes, sore throat, and diarrhea.  Measles typically occur among infants who are a few months old and children under the age of 15. Although the disease has not been confirmed by a laboratory test, the medical experts have confirmed from a medical point of view that the disease is measles based on its symptoms.

The BPHWT is facing lack of medicine even though it has received medical aids from Mae Tao Clinic and the HSS Program.

Only a few people contracted measles in this area in the past and the area is witnessing its worst measles epidemic this year.