There have been 350 clinically confirmed cases of measles in the last 12 weeks in South Sudan with 21 more suspected cases reported in Bentiu the last two weeks, UNICEF said.
One person died in Bentiu in the last two weeks from the disease, the group said.
UNICEF said a measles outbreak response is ongoing in Bentiu town and Rubkona targeting 29,000 children.
“The burden of the suspected measles cases still falls on children under 5, accounting for 67 per cent of cases,” UNICEF said.
UNICEF noted that only 21% of children in conflict affected states in South Sudan have received vaccinations against the deadly disease.
The group said a national measles follow-up campaign will be implemented in October. So far this year 14 solar fridges have been installed and 5 repaired in Greater Upper Nile. Solar fridges can be used to store vaccines.
Cholera preparations to begin
Meanwhile, UNICEF said they have started to prepare for potential outbreak of cholera as the rainy season approaches. The group has begun buying tents and diarrheal kits while establishing partnerships with other organizations who will help respond to cholera.
The group said they intend to also start prepositioning supplies in “cholera hotspots,” training health workers and volunteers on dealing with patients, ensuring health facilities are well stocked with equipment, and identifying possible oral rehydration points to be established.
The group said their activities when underway will target 132,500 people in eleven high risk counties around the country.
47 people died of cholera in an outbreak in South Sudan last year.
Related:
MSF preparing for potential cholera this rainy season (25 Mar.)