From: Horn of Africa Crisis
Situation Report No. 33
24 February 2012
..
Health: Djibouti is facing a nationwide outbreak of measles, with about 50 cases reported since mid-January
in Dikhil, Djibouti City, Balbala, and Ali Addeh refugee camp. About 50 per cent of the cases are children
aged 9 months to under age 5. However, cases with complications have been reported in infants less than 6
months and in adolescents and adults above 15 years. Two deaths among children under age 5 were
reported, while a malnourished pregnant woman suffered from a miscarriage after contracting measles.
Many of the hospitalized children suffered from complications such as pneumonia and malnutrition. In
response, the health cluster will next week launch a major vaccination campaign, while continuing support of
surveillance and treatment. The Ministry of Health task force identified the need to vaccinate approximately
300,000 children between 6 months and 15 years, necessitating doubling the stock of vaccines and Vitamin
A currently available. For its part, UNHCR conducted a measles vaccination campaign from 14 to 18
February in Ali Addeh refugee camp, where 15 suspected measles cases and one related death have been
reported. A total of 5,876 children aged 9 months to 15 years were vaccinated, as were 233 children from
local communities surrounding the camp.
...
Situation Report No. 33
24 February 2012
..
Health: Djibouti is facing a nationwide outbreak of measles, with about 50 cases reported since mid-January
in Dikhil, Djibouti City, Balbala, and Ali Addeh refugee camp. About 50 per cent of the cases are children
aged 9 months to under age 5. However, cases with complications have been reported in infants less than 6
months and in adolescents and adults above 15 years. Two deaths among children under age 5 were
reported, while a malnourished pregnant woman suffered from a miscarriage after contracting measles.
Many of the hospitalized children suffered from complications such as pneumonia and malnutrition. In
response, the health cluster will next week launch a major vaccination campaign, while continuing support of
surveillance and treatment. The Ministry of Health task force identified the need to vaccinate approximately
300,000 children between 6 months and 15 years, necessitating doubling the stock of vaccines and Vitamin
A currently available. For its part, UNHCR conducted a measles vaccination campaign from 14 to 18
February in Ali Addeh refugee camp, where 15 suspected measles cases and one related death have been
reported. A total of 5,876 children aged 9 months to 15 years were vaccinated, as were 233 children from
local communities surrounding the camp.
...
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