Publications by authors named "Surender N Gupta"

Introduction: In outbreak settings, more than one virus may be infecting the given population. In twin or triple outbreak of measles, German measles (rubella), and varicella in highly immunized hilly areas, maximal number of the case patients in all the hilly villages belonged to the older age group. It suggested an obvious shift to the higher age group, warranting second dose opportunity in such case scenario.

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Background: In April, 2009, in a co-education school, we investigated suspected triple outbreak; varicella first and then with chance detection of rubeola and rubella. The aim was to confirm diagnosis and recommend remedial measures to prevent further outbreaks.

Materials And Methods: We defined a case of varicella with maculopapulovesicular rash without other apparent cause in students or staff of the school and residents of neighboring villages of Khalet and Roady since 23(rd) March to 14(th) October, 2009.

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Background: The annual risk of tuberculosis infection is 1.9% in Himachal Pradesh against a national average of 1%. Revised national tuberculosis control program (RNTCP) in Kangra was introduced in October, 1998.

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Background: On 14(th) September 2006, a local community leader informed us about the sudden increase in number of cases of fever and rash in five villages of district Kangra. We investigated the suspected outbreak to confirm the diagnosis and recommend for prevention and control.

Materials And Methods: We defined a case of rubeola as the occurrence of fever with rash in children from 3(rd) September to 13(th) January, 2007.

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Background: THE PRESENT EVALUATION STUDY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: (i) To assess the treatment outcomes of revised national tuberculosis control program (RNTCP) in five microscopic centers of Kangra district under five tuberculosis units and (ii) To identify gaps and underlying contributing factors. Based upon the findings of (i) and (ii) we suggest appropriate measures to narrow down the existing gaps.

Materials And Methods: We identified and interviewed health personnel involved, reviewed the documents and records pertaining to evaluation plan/guidelines, training records and reports generated by five tuberculosis units.

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Background: Measles vaccination coverage varies in India. Trainees of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) investigated 8 outbreaks from 2004 through 2006 in Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. We reviewed these outbreaks to contribute to the description of the epidemiology of measles and propose recommendations for control.

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Background: Globally, measles is the fifth killer disease among children under five years of age. Despite high immunization coverage in Himachal, outbreaks are occurring. Upon two outbreaks in a hilly district in North India, a case control study was conducted to identify factors contributing to outbreaks and to recommend remedial measures to prevent further outbreaks.

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Background: On 28(th) June, 2006, 55 cases of the gastroenteritis were reported among the hostellers of the Tibetan Transit School, Dharamshala. We investigated the outbreak to identify the source, propose control and preventive measures.

Materials And Methods: We defined a case of the gastroenteritis as the occurrence of more than three smelly loose motions between 28(th) June to 2(nd) July, 2006 among some sections of the resident hostellers.

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Objective: Rubella is a minor disease that often goes unnoticed and seldom results in significant morbidity and mortality. However, the infection among pregnant women is associated with serious consequences for the fetus. On 5th November, 2006, a local community leader reported cases of fever with rash in three villages of Chamba district to Shahpur hospital.

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Background: We investigated two sequential outbreaks of measles in seven villages of Kangra, to confirm the diagnosis and to formulate recommendations for prevention and control.

Methods: We defined a case of measles as occurrence of fever with rash in a child aged six months to 17 years during the period 3(rd) September to 23(rd) November 2006. We collected information on age, sex, residence, date of onset, symptoms, signs, treatment taken, traveling history and vaccination status.

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