Greetings from MeaslesNetIndia, a sentinel measles surveillance network initiated by National Institute of Virology, Pune. MeaslesNetIndia is a collaboration of 16 centers all over India.

 

NIV is working on measles since last 20 years and has contributed very significantly to the research on Measles and SSPE in India. We are Central Measles Reference Laboratory of ICMR, currently working on WHO project of Measles Genotyping studies in India. As you know there are 23 genotypes of measles circulating in the world, of which we have detected 4 genotypes D4, D7, D8 and A from India indicating wider genetic diversity of measles strains in India.

 

In this project, in order to assess the molecular epidemiology of measles in India, we are trying to investigate sporadic cases and outbreaks of measles from all the parts of our country, collect the specimen, isolate the strain and perform RT-PCR and sequencing to know the genotypes. Till now, with the help of MeaslesNetIndia we have covered six states in India. We would like to cover the remaining states.

 

The pediatricians are important in such a network for providing the  clinical inputs and describing the trends and changing epidemiology( if any) in the region. We are now trying to create a voluntary, participatory Sentinel Practioners Network for Measles molecular surveillance. The sentinel pediatrician is expected to examine measles cases, collect clinicoepidemiological data, collect specimens ( Serum/Throat Swab/Urine/Oral fluid- as appropriate) and ship at appropriate temperature to NIV or its collaborators in your region. Publication credits would be shared on mutual agreement.

 

NIV would be able to take care of the expenditure involved in this process.

 

In view of your expertise in the area, we would like to invite you to participate in the first ever Sentinel Measles Network in India. Your contribution would go a long way in understanding the molecular epidemiology of measles in India and ultimately would contribute to development of strategies for measles eradication.     

 

I would request you to give your consent to participate in this network. Complete details of the project would be sent to you after your initial consent. Your suggestions are most welcome to expand this activity.

 

In case you are busy or may not be able to participate at this point of time, kindly circulate this mail message to your colleagues and we will be happy to welcome them all in our network.

 

With warm personal regards,

 

Sincerely,

For

Niteen Wairagkar, MD

Deputy Director and Head , Measles Group

Principle Investigator,

WHO Measles Genotyping Project

National Institute of Virology,

20-A, Ambedkar Road, Pune

Phone: 020-26124386

Fax: 020-26122669

Email: niteenw@...