Measles kill an infant and elderly mother as many others got infected in Mandera County

An elderly mother and a child are the latest victims of measles outbreak in Mandera County. The mother of eight hails from Goffa in Guticha ward in Mandera North Sub County whereas the child is from Mandera east.  The late is Sarura Mohamed who is a mother of eight.The first cases of measles were reported in Mandera east in June/July this year.

Dr Edan examining a patient at Mandera County referrals hospital

This outbreak comes at a time when Mandera County is at 32% of immunization against measles outbreaks, half below the national percentage of 75 to 80%; depending on each case for specific county.

NepPlus spoke to Health County Executive Committee member, Dr Mohamed Adan who confirmed the outbreak. The total people reported with cases in health facilities are 275 in the entire County.

 We are planning to combine the polio phase three and the measles immunisation next week” Said Dr Eda

I am planning to increase all primary immunisation percentage to national level which is between 75 and 80 %.” Said the newly appointed County executive committee member for health, Mandera County.

Dr Eda has worked in Coast general hospital where he played a key role in transforming the critical care unit and upgraded the ICU to state of art. Al-Furqan hospital where life saving surgeries was conducted was lead by Dr Eda. He left the government to venture into private medical practice in Mombasa.

” The response to measles outbreak has been very poor and took longer for the emergency response by the county Government” said Hussein, a resident of Rhamu, mandera North sub county.

Red cross Kenya has availed nine million shillings to mandera County for social mobilisation. Other stakeholders working with Mandera County are World health organisation, Ministry of health, Kenya and UNICEF among others.

Measles outbreak was reported in Wajir and Mandera counties in February 2018 with a total of 39 and 103 cases recorded respectively. The outbreak has since been contained through active researches, case management and enhanced outreach vaccination services.

Measles outbreak has been reported in the entire mandera except Kutulo and Banisa towns. The youngest victim is a two year old from Balawle in Takaba sub County

Measles outbreak in Kenya was reported in April 2017 in Dadaab refugee camp in Carissa. Children under 5 were affected; no one died then.

By Abdullahi Alas 

Additional reporting by Issadin Haji

SOURCE