Health authorities in Lakes State on Monday confirmed that four children died from and nine others tested positive for measles as they announced an outbreak in Yirol West, Wulu and Cueibet counties.

According to the acting health minister in Lakes State, Philip Taban Chir, four deaths were recorded in Cueibet County and six cases tested positive. He said two cases tested positive in Wulu County and one positive case was reported in Yirol West County.

“There is an emergency assessment response team comprised of health partners on the ground that came after I convened an emergency meeting last week when the measles outbreak was reported,” he said. “As of today (Monday), the team is on the ground vaccinating and we have enough vaccines in the store.”

Meanwhile, Mawet Bol, the Rumbek State Hospital administrator, said they had not received any cases as of Monday but are prepared to handle any cases.

“There is a measles outbreak in the three counties of Rumbek East, Wulu, and Cueibet but the state hospital has not yet received any measles cases,” he said. “We are alert and prepared to respond if there are cases referred to Rumbek State Hospital.”