At least 5 people have died from measles and 280 cases have been reported in Warrap State, a local health official told Radio Tamazuj. Local health officials also say that there is a low turnout of children being vaccinated.

“In the whole of former Warrap state including Abyei many children have been infected and others have died of measles,” the Expanded Immunization Programme manager James Ngor Ayom told Radio Tamazuj.

Ngor said that Twic has been vaccinated but has 85 suspected measles cases, and 42 cases with 2 deaths in Tonj South. In Gogrial West there are at least 61 cases, and Kuac South has at least 47 cases of measles with 3 deaths.

UNICEF, WHO, World Vision and other partners are expected to begin vaccination programs this week in Kuajok, and then will be expanded to other areas.

All children should be routinely vaccinated from polio and measles cases according to Warrap state UNICEF Programme Coordinator Shadrach Maper Adong. She also emphasized that the program is free.

“There have not been any health workers who have asked to pay money for these vaccines.” Maper said. “Even 1SSP is not paid for the treatment of children”