South Sudan, measles also kills: 460 cases have been recorded so far, including children

ROMA – In South Sudan, measles cases are increasing in the state of Western Equatoria, worsening an already difficult health situation due to a yellow fever epidemic. Since February, in three health facilities in Yambio and Nzara counties, 7 children under five have died from measles and 460 cases have been recorded so far. 90% of them had never been vaccinated against the disease.

The response of Doctors Without Borders. In light of the increase in cases and very low vaccination coverage, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) – which is responding to the emergency in the counties of Nzara and Yambio – urges the health authorities and theWorld Health Organization (OMS) to start an immediate vaccination campaign against measles to avoid further spread of infections.

It is now a constant emergency in the country. Measles has now become a constant emergency in South Sudan, with recurring outbreaks putting a strain on the health system, as well as endangering entire communities. More than 12,000 cases have been recorded this year, including 400 in the last week alone. MSF teams are treating measles cases at Gangura and Sakure health centers in Nzara and Yambio counties and at Yambio hospital, where they are also working to increase the number of beds from 32 to 40 to respond to the rapid increase of infections.

In communities to look for affected children. Additionally, MSF teams work in the community to identify children with potential measles symptoms and refer them to health facilities. 20% of children who received measles treatment in MSF-supported clinics were over the age of 5, highlighting the need for a vaccination campaign to reach older children who have not been vaccinated against measles with current immunization program.

An epidemic that aggravates an already difficult situation. This measles epidemic makes the situation even worse in a region that is still fighting yellow fever, after health authorities declared a new outbreak last December, the fourth in just six years. In mid-March, 81 cases of yellow fever were recorded, including three confirmed cases and six deaths. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the WHO, launched a vaccination campaign immunizing approximately 357,000 people in three different counties of the state of Western Equatoria. The campaign led to a reduction in the number of cases, both suspected and confirmed, proving the effectiveness of mass vaccination campaigns.

The urgency of a vaccination campaign. “Large-scale vaccination campaigns are essential in both Western Equatoria and Northern Bahr el Ghazal, affected by the measles epidemic, to prevent further spread of the disease and prevent further outbreaks. South Sudan’s health system is fragile and cannot cope with continuous epidemics,” says Zakaria Mwatia, MSF head of mission in South Sudan.