Although there are many stories in the mainstream media about the deaths from the measles outbreak in the Naga area of Sagaing, there are as yet few details of the response to it. There are reports of vaccinations. And of 'treatment'. What is the best response? An un-named expert offered this:

"'Outbreak response immunisation' would be one of the measures taken. It's important to provide effective case management , and I believe rapid response teams are already there. It also appears to be quite an isolated area, which would then mean that vaccination would be good to decrease the risk for those who haven't contracted it (although immunity takes a bit of time to develop, and also wouldn't be use for those already in incubation stage). It's also an opportunity to highlight the importance of vaccines, and give health education. They would also need to determine how to strengthen 'routine' immunisation in these hard to reach areas. I hope the outbreak investigation will also yield causes of the outbreak, apart from non-vaccination. I'm assuming that the area being far-flung, most if not all would not have had any vaccination. WHO is also on the ground, so I'm sure they're providing appropriate guidance."

Jamie