A fatal Measles outbreak in Zimbabwe has claimed nearly 700 lives as the nation struggles to contain the infectious viral disease.
The government of the Southern African nation claimed on Tuesday that thousands of people have been infected with measles in the country since an outbreak in April and 698 of them have died.
Vaccinations have been rolled out but the government said some religious groups have discouraged people from taking them.
“Measles is a very contagious, infectious disease that spreads when a number of unvaccinated children rises beyond critical thresholds,” says Alex Gasarira, the World Health Organization’s representative in Zimbabwe.
“So, what we have in Zimbabwe right now is because the number of unvaccinated children has risen because of several factors: Community who are not comfortable to have their children vaccinated, disruption [of] vaccination services because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.”
Mandatory shots on every resident in the country has been made but virology experts have asked for caution.
Health enthusiasts are calling for immunization of every Zimbabwean child against the disease but the government and health authorities are yet to mandate the vaccines for everyone.
UNICEF Zimbabwe’s representative, Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale said they are working with the government to ensure the disease is contained.
“Just like [during] the COVID response, the government of Zimbabwe and partners are taking seriously the current outbreak of measles that we currently have in the country,” he said.
“At present, the government has deployed rapid response team supported by UNICEF, WHO and other partners to help better track the incidents of measles. More importantly, UNICEF and our community actors are also working hand in hand to increase awareness of the measles vaccine and also help address community resistance to the vaccination.”
First reported in April in Manicaland Province, the disease is now an epidemic as it has affected a significant Zimbabwean population.
