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Published Date: 2009-12-29 14:32:35
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Measles - Zimbabwe (04)
Archive Number: 20091229.204535

MEASLES - ZIMBABWE (04)
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Date: Tue 29 Dec 2009
Source: The Herald (Zimbabwe) [edited]
http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=13868&cat=1

22 children succumb to measles
------------------------------
A total of 22 people, mainly children below the age of 5 years, have
died of measles in Makoni District of Manicaland Province since the
beginning of this month [December 2009]. The 22, according to health
officials, had never been vaccinated. The district has now started an
immunization campaign in the area.

The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare confirmed the deaths and
immediately started a campaign targeted at children between 9 months
and 14 years of age. Addressing a press conference in Harare
yesterday [28 Dec 2009], Health and Child Welfare Minister Henry
Madzorera said 90 people have since been confirmed to have been
affected by the highly contagious viral respiratory infection
countrywide, while those treated of suspected measles numbered over
350 over the last 12 months.

Of the positive cases, more than 50 percent are children below the
age of 5 years while 95 percent of the cases had never been
vaccinated before. "This is an unwarranted loss of lives given the
fact that measles is a preventable disease. In Zimbabwe, outbreaks of
measles were rare because of sustained high vaccination coverage
among all children. It is therefore important for parents to realize
that vaccinating their children protects the individual children from
disease and/or its complications," Dr Madzorera said.

Dr Madzorera urged parents to not only take their children for
vaccination, but also to encourage other community members to
vaccinate their children. "The message therefore is vaccinating your
child is not enough protection; encourage and ensure that other
children around yours are also vaccinated," he said.

According to the Public Health Act, children are vaccinated from
measles at 9 months of age. However, most mothers had become lax in
getting their children immunised, while others cited religious
beliefs. Most members of apostolic sects are reluctant to immunise
their children.

To date, 15 districts have been affected and these include
Zvishavane, Harare, Buhera Bulawayo, Gokwe South, Makoni, Marondera,
Bubi, Gutu, Insiza, Kwekwe, Makonde, Mutare, Chegutu and Chipinge.

Measles is considered an outbreak when there is a cluster of 5 or
more suspected cases or where there are at least 3 confirmed positive
cases in a district or health facility within a month. Measles causes
high fever, skin rash, running nose, watery eyes and a cough. The
disease mainly affects children under the age of 5. In unvaccinated
children, measles can cause severe diarrhoea leading to dehydration,
blindness to those with inadequate vitamin A, inflammation of the
middle ear, brain damage, and even death due to pneumonia.

Worldwide, vaccination has led to the elimination of measles in the
WHO region of America, while global measles mortality has decreased
by 74 percent from 750 000 in 2000 to 197 000 deaths in 2007.
According to WHO, the cost of immunizing a child is between USd
20-USd 40. However, in Zimbabwe and other developing countries
immunization is free at all public institutions.

[Byline: Paidamoyo Chipunza]

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The death toll due to measles in Zimbabwe has risen from 10 to 22
since the last report (see ProMED EAFR report 20091223.204425). The
outbreak is attributed to a decline of measles vaccination coverage
in the 15 affected districts. A supplemental measles immunization
campaign has therefore been launched by the authorities in the
affected districts. There is however need for the communities in the
affected districts to be mobilized to improve coverage both for the
routine and periodic supplemental measles immunizations to prevent
accumulation of un-immunized cohorts. - Mod.JFW]

A map showing the 8 provinces in Zimbabwe can be seen
at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Zimbabwe
The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Zimbabwe can be accessed
at http://healthmap.org/r/00aK. - Mod.JFW]

See Also