Health workers in Torit State will launch an urgent measles vaccination campaign in the greater Ikotos County on Tuesday, after 17 children died from the preventable disease.

Earlier this month, local authorities reported dozens of suspected cases of measles, including 17 related deaths in Kideopo Valley.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Torit State says the vaccines are for measles and Vitamin A, for any child aged between six months and 5 years in the greater Ikotos area.

EPI communications officer Christine Juma told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that the campaign will go from 17 December to 23 December, saying the program is supported by the state ministry of health and its partners.

 “The campaign will start from 17 to 23 of this month. We will launch the campaign in all areas of greater Ikotos County to stop the spread of the disease through the vaccination campaign, we will also give Vitamin A and other medicines,” she said.

 “We have camps at the border to welcome returnee children, there is also a camp in Ramula Kideopo Valley to respond to cases,” she added.

Juma did not say how many children are targeted by the measles vaccination campaign in Ikotos.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is usually characterized by fever, rashes and cough. It can be prevented by vaccination but once contracted there is no specific treatment to cure it.