Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube and Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporters
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has rolled out a massive countrywide vaccination exercise against measles following an outbreak.
In Bulawayo, at council clinics, health teams are immunising children under the age of five.
As of yesterday, according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the province has 22 out of the 172 active cases in the country. Bulawayo has not recorded a death.
Matabeleland North Province has 80 confirmed cases and three deaths in Binga district.
As of September 3, Zimbabwe had recorded 6 206 confirmed cases of measles countrywide, including 4 440 recoveries and 698 deaths.
Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness commonly found in children but is easily preventable by a vaccine.
Some of its primary symptoms are fever, malaise, cough, runny nose, inflamed eyes, sore throat, and a red blotchy skin rash which usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed. The disease spreads through the air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
There is no known treatment for an established measles infection but over-the-counter fever reducers or Vitamin A supplements may help with symptoms hence vaccines are used to prevent spread.
The first case in the country this year was reported in Mutasa district, Manicaland province on 10 April.
Nationally, 172 new cases were reported on Saturday in Manicaland (92), Chitungwiza (36), Mashonaland East (13) Midlands (9), Mashonaland West (8), Matabeleland South (8) and Masvingo (6), while 13 new deaths were reported in Mashonaland West (4), Matabeleland South (4), Midlands (4) and one in Chitungwiza.
Manicaland leads in total cumulative cases since the outbreak with 2 942, followed by Mashonaland West with 855, Mashonaland East with 718, Midlands with 527, Masvingo with 407, Mashonaland Central with 294, and Harare and Chitungwiza which have 153 and 141 cases respectively.
Matabeleland region has the lowest cases with Bulawayo so far reporting 22, while Matabeleland North and South have 80 and 67 cases respectively as the cases are mainly concentrated on the eastern and northern parts of the country.
Cabinet recently resolved to up the fight against measles through the upscaling of the National Supplementary Vaccination Programme and Government invoked the Civil Protection Unit Act to deal with the emergency before the opening of schools for the third term today.
In Matabeleland North, cases and deaths have been reported in Sinakoma area.
The province started awareness campaigns last week and actual vaccination and administration of Vitamin A dose started at static sites and health centres on Friday. The programme is targeting children aged six months to 59 months.
Matabeleland North Provincial Medical Director Dr Admire Kuretu said only Binga had been affected so far.
“We have measles cases in Binga, affecting Sinakoma ward. The first case was reported on 27 August and the total has reached about 80 children. Three deaths have been reported,” said Dr Kuretu.
He said the cases are linked to the outbreak in Manicaland.
“In response, the Ministry of Health has started vaccination of under-fives throughout the province. The vaccination campaign started on Friday, 2 September. Health education and community engagement has been intensified,” he said.
Hwange district, closely linked to Binga, has also intensified awareness with messages circulated in communities and banners put at health facilities.
On Saturday health officials moved around Victoria Falls City suburbs using hailers to alert people about the outbreak and vaccination.
The Hwange Local Board also intensified the campaign with the launch of the exercise which will run until Tuesday at Empumalanga Clinic.
Hwange District Medical Officer Dr Fungai Mvura said there were no cases yet in the district.
Traditional and faith leaders, including religious sects, are also being encouraged to support the programme by availing children for the vaccination.
Covid-19 vaccination also continues for those eligible for first and second dose as well as the booster. – @ncubeleon
Online Reporter