Sassoon hospital may get the genome sequencing laboratory to test Measles disease
The state government is emphasising on screening and vaccination of children with ‘fever and rash’.
Pune: Though the number of new cases of measles in the state is increasing, the reports of samples of suspected patients are received after 10 to 15 days. This is because the state has only one laboratory in Mumbai and samples are sometimes also sent to laboratories in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
For the benefit of patients, efforts are being taken by the Health Department to start a genome sequencing laboratory in Sassoon General Hospital.
“State government health services had asked us if we can start it and we have said yes as we have all the equipment required for it. We have the genomic sequencing equipment and have the capacity, the way we had during the Covid-19 pandemic. if the health department orders us, then we will start,” said Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, Maharashtra’s Co-ordinator for genome sequencing.
The state government is emphasising on screening and vaccination of children with ‘fever and rash’. Samples of suspected patients are being sent for testing.
The three laboratories currently testing measles samples in Maharashtra include the National Institute of Virology Field Unit at the Hafkin Institute campus in Mumbai, BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad and the Institute of Preventive Medicine in Hyderabad.
The state has reported 139 outbreaks till December 19. In this, 1087 patients are diagnosed with measles, and there are 17,347 suspected patients. While, 20 kids have died due to measles. The Health Department has informed parents to take their kids to the paediatrician, if symptoms like measles are found.
Mrunal Jadhav
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