EVALUATION OF MEASLES AND RUBELLA SURVEILLANCE IN TAMIL NADU DURING JAN 2023-DEC 2023.

Abstract


INTRODUCTION : As India progresses towards elimination of Measles and Rubella (MR), a sensitive case-based MR surveillance system is essential to monitor and sustain progress towards elimination of MR. To achieve the Immunization Agenda 2030 and accomplish Measles elimination, monitoring the performance indicators of MR surveillance becomes imperative. The objective of this study is to evaluate Measles and Rubella Surveillance in Tamil Nadu during Jan 2023-Dec 2023. METHODS : This is a retrospective observational study conducted using secondary data on MR surveillance. All the Fever Rash (FR)/suspected MR cases reported in VSIMS - Vaccine Preventable Diseases Surveillance Information Management System portal during the period Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 is taken for the study. All the key performance indicators were compared with Measles and Rubella Surveillance Field guide 2020 guidelines released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. RESULTS : Of the 6,588 FR cases reported in VSIMS portal, timely case investigation were done for 96.91% of the cases. Adequacy of serological sample collection is 99.73%. There is a substantial delay in timely laboratory reporting. All the outbreaks have been investigated. NMNR discard rate for Tamil Nadu for the year 2023 was 6.13/10,00,000 population. CONCLUSION : All the outbreaks flagged were investigated and final classification completed. Non-Measles and Non- Rubella Discard rate is well above the target set by MoHFW. Overall, Tamil Nadu's performance in MR Surveillance aligns well with the established guidelines, demonstrating significant progress toward measles elimination.