At least 9,000 children were vaccinated against measles in Aweil East State after nearly 10 children died from the preventable disease in Lou County late last year, a health official said.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, the state Health minister, Luka Dut Mou said the vaccination campaign targeted children aged between six months and 5 years in the state.

However, the state minister said the measles vaccination campaign, which took place from January 13 to18, was halted due to the shortage of funds.

“There was an outbreak that killed a number that was close to 10 children in Lou County and that disease spread across the state. We asked the National Ministry of Health and all the partners and they responded positively between 13-18 January,” he explained.

Dut said he expects more 3,000 children to be vaccinated in future.

The state health ministry in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners conducted the campaign.

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus.