MEASLES VACCINATION RESPONSE DURING KOSI FLOODS, BIHAR, INDIA 2008

Wednesday, 8th of January 2014

[source]Indian Paediatrics[|source]

With the changing population profile and communication situation following the floods, there arose a variety of related health issues which called for strategic health planning to prevent any large scale disease outbreak. During the initial phase of population aggregation in camps, roadsides and embankments, the major threat was the transmission of measles and acute respiratory infections. The Department of Health, Government of Bihar, UNICEF and several civil society organizations, tackled the health situation and averted wide spread transmission of any disease.

In this article, the authors document the strategy, interventions delivered and possible outputs/outcomes of the interventions. The article articulates that Timely rather than perfect response was a critical factor. Full text details are available at: http://www.indianpediatrics.net/nov2009/997.pdf

Abstract

The Kosi floods of Bihar in 2008 led to initial rapid displacement followed by rehabilitation of the affected population. Strategically planned phase-wise activity of supplementary as well as primary measles vaccination combined with a variety of other interventions proved to be successful in preventing outbreaks and deaths due to measles. While 70% supplementary measles vaccination coverage was achieved in relief camps, the coverage of primary measles doses in the latter phases was dependant on accessibility of villages and previous vaccination status of eligible beneficiaries. The integrated diseases surveillance system, which became operational during the floods, also complemented the vaccination efforts by providing daily figures of cases with fever and rash. The overall response was not only successful in terms of preventing measles mortality, but also provided vital lessons that may be useful for planning future vaccination responses in emergency settings.