Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is calling on all health organizations to urgently implement a wide-spread measles vaccination campaign to save the lives of thousands of children at risk of the outbreak in Pibor.
In a statement to newsrooms, MSF more than 250 children had been treated by end of last month. The first case of measles was reported on 18 August 2020.
MSF’s Dr. Adelard Shyaka said, “We believe measles is now widespread and getting out of control. It is especially concerning that the Greater Pibor Administrative Area is flooded and in an emergency. We started with four, then six, and then 18 isolation beds. At the moment we have 30 children with severe measles receiving treatment in our health facility.”
“The severity of the outbreak is being magnified by other illnesses like severe malaria, pneumonia, and severe malnutrition. Two children have already died and we are deeply concerned that without a prompt reactive vaccination campaign, more children will continue to die,” says Dr. Shyaka.
Josh Rosenstein, MSF field coordinator in Pibor said measles campaigns in Pibor are usually difficult to implement due to the remoteness of locations. But, he says, the flooding has brought with it a blessing in disguise because now communities are living in clusters in small islands and can easily be accessed.
“If we do not act now, despite all the challenges we face in conducting a reactive measles campaign, soon the water levels will start to decrease and people will start to return home and to their normal movement. This is the best chance that we have at controlling the disease outbreak,” he advised.
MSF epidemiologist Laura Wright said 71 percent of the patients have not attained their first birthday and attributed the infection rates to a disruption of routine vaccinations, resulting from last years’ flooding and ongoing conflict.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted through the air. There is no specific treatment once someone contracts it, but a well-conducted vaccination campaign is extremely effective to prevent new cases.