The Ministry of Health and Childcare (MoHCC) says there is an outbreak of measles in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province, affecting children aged 6 months to 15 years.
In a statement released on Wednesday, 11 May, MoHCC said that a total of 72 cases and 14 deaths have been reported. Read the statement:
The Ministry of Health and Child Care informs the public that there is an outbreak of measles among children aged 6 months to 15 years in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province as of the 10th of April 2022.
To date a total of 72 cases and 14 deaths have been reported. Of the reported cases, only 9 had been vaccinated while the remainder had not been vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory tract viral infection commonly found in children and is spread through sneezing, coughing and by touching/contact.
Symptoms start with a cough, fever and then a skin rash shows up.
The risk of developing severe measles or dying from complications of measles is very high in unvaccinated children.
In order to control this outbreak, MOHCC has started a mass vaccination campaign in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province targeting the 6 months to 15 years age group regardless of their vaccination status.
Health workers are carrying out an intensive door to door education campaign against this disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been notified of this outbreak as a requirement.
All provinces are being encouraged to be on high alert and to report any suspected measles to the nearest health facility.Those who attended church gatherings especially in Manicaland during this period should be on the look-out for suspected measles among their children.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care reassures the public that the situation is currently under control and therefore they should not panic.
Measles is a viral infection that’s serious for small children that spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
Measles symptoms don’t appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure. They include cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, fever and a red, blotchy skin rash.