157 Unvaccinated Children Dead In Zimbabwe Measles Outbreak

Updated on August 17, 2022 22:59 PM by admin

Authorities said that a measles outbreak in Zimbabwe had claimed the lives of 157 children, most of whom were unvaccinated due to their family's religious beliefs.

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The measles outbreak was first reported in the eastern Manicaland province in April and has since spread to all parts of the country.

Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said at least 2,056 cases had been reported, and virtually all of the deaths have been children who were not vaccinated.

She said that Zimbabwe's Cabinet had invoked the law to respond to disasters to deal with the outbreak.

Mass vaccination campaign!

The government says it is launching a mass vaccination campaign targeting children between 6 months and 15 years old and engaging traditional faith leaders to support the drive.

Zimbabwe resumed vaccinating children against measles even during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the drive has been hampered by religious groups that preach against vaccines.

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Vaccine hesitancy:

The Christian sects are against modern medicine and ask their members to rely on self-proclaimed prophets for healing.

Church gatherings that have continued following the easing of COVID restrictions have "led to the spread of measles to previously unaffected areas," said the health ministry last week.

Modes of transmission:

Measles is among the most infectious diseases in the world and mostly spreads in the air by coughing, sneezing, or close contact. Once very common, it can now be prevented with a vaccine.

Symptoms:

Its symptoms are coughing, fever, and a skin rash, while the risk of severe measles or dying from complications is high among unvaccinated children.

Red alert for child health:

Outbreaks in unvaccinated and malnourished populations have been known to kill thousands. Researchers estimate that more than 90% of the population needs to be immunized to prevent measles outbreaks.

In April, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of an increase in measles in vulnerable countries due to a disruption of services due to COVID-19.

In July, UNICEF said about 25 million children worldwide have missed out on routine immunizations against common childhood diseases, calling it a "red alert" for child health.