Published Date: 2010-05-08 15:56:48
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Measles - Africa (17): Zimbabwe
Archive Number: 20100508.207208

MEASLES - AFRICA (17): ZIMBABWE
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Date: Fri 7 May 2010
Source: Afrique Avenir, Africa Press Association (APA) Report [edited]
http://www.afriqueavenir.org/en/2010/05/07/un-to-help-zimbabwe-contain-measles-outbreak/



Harare (Zimbabwe) The United Nations has allocated USD 5.6 million to
Zimbabwe to help the country contain a measles outbreak that has
killed more than 380 children since September 2009, APA learnt here
Friday [7 May 2010]. Some 5 million children in Zimbabwe will receive
urgently needed protection from measles, thanks to USD 5.6 million
from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).


Despite an initial vaccination of more than 148 000 children in 23
districts since the beginning of the outbreak in September [2009],
the disease has been on the rise with more than 6200 cumulative
cases, including 384 deaths, reported in 57 of the 62 districts
across the southern African country. "The CERF contribution will
allow for urgent programmes to immunise children against this deadly
disease," UN Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said. "Halting
the spread of measles now should avert a number of preventable deaths."


In conjunction with Zimbabwe's Health and Child Welfare Ministry, the
UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and UN World Health Organisation (WHO)
plan to immunise 95 percent of children between the ages of 6 months
and 14 years during a 10-day campaign. The 2 UN agencies will provide
further technical assistance in planning, coordinating, implementing
and monitoring the measles outbreak response.


Some USD 3.5 million in CERF funding will allow UNICEF to provide
logistical support to the nationwide campaign, including ensuring
that all measles vaccines, and the equipment to keep them cool, are
delivered quickly to all 62 districts. CERF funds will also help
UNICEF to produce and distribute educational materials ahead of the
campaign, to inform the population.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail
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[Finally, a measles immunization campaign that is synchronized in all
the provinces and 62 districts in the country is underway. This
should help interrupt transmission and hence prevent further cases
and deaths provided adequate mobilization of the community including
the apostolic church believers (who have shunned recent measles
immunization drives) is done to attain a 95 percent coverage in the
targeted age-group.

A map showing the administrative regions of Zimbabwe can be accessed at
http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/zimbabwe.pdf. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Zimbabwe can be accessed at
http://healthmap.org/r/00aK. - Mod.JFW]

See Also

Measles - Africa (16): Zimbabwe 20100501.207073
Measles - Africa (15): Mauritania 20100428.207022
Measles - Africa (14): Malawi 20100422.206898
Measles - Africa (13): South Africa 20100421.206879
Measles - Africa (12): Zimbabwe 20100416.206801
Measles - Zambia: (Lusaka) 20100414.206758
Measles - South Africa (13): (Western Cape) 20100411.206683
Measles - South Africa (12): (Western Cape) 20100401.206472
Measles - Zimbabwe (04): Bulawayo 20100323.206287

Additional background information on measles is available from the
general ProMED-mail list. The postings below can be found at
http://www.promedmail.org. - Mod.JFW

Measles - Yemen: (SA) 20100503.1440
Measles - Poland: Roma population, 2008-2009 20100430.1408
Measles - Spain: (MU) 20100429.1380
Measles - Africa (14): West, Central 20100424.1333
Measles - Philippines (04): (IB) 20100424.1325
Measles - Africa (13): Malawi 20100422.1302
Measles - Canada (03): (BC), USA (WA) alert 20100419.1275
...................jfw/ejp/be

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