Afghanistan: 2012 Measles outbreaks

[Shiloh]

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/wor...tbreak-kills-at-least-20-afghan-children.html

Measles outbreak kills at least 20 Afghan children
February 21, 2012 | 7:10 am

REPORTING FROM KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- Health officials Tuesday reported a deadly measles outbreak in rural western Afghanistan that they said was compounded by severe winter weather hampering access to the area.

At least 20 children have died of of measles and pneumonia in Ghor and Badghis provinces, according to Afghanistan?s Health Ministry and the World Health Organization...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Afghanistan: 2012 Measles outbreaks

Source: http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96680/AFGHANISTAN-Disease-outbreaks-prompt-action

AFGHANISTAN: Disease outbreaks prompt action
Photo: WHO Afghanistan
Vaccination teams face many challenges accessing remote areas of Afghanistan

DUBAI, 1 November 2012 (IRIN) - Afghanistan is taking steps to improve its routine immunization coverage, after a drop in coverage led to a sharp increase in measles outbreaks last year, killing more than 300 children.

Since the start of the last Afghan winter, in November 2011, 9,000 measles cases were reported across almost every province in the country, as compared to 3,000 cases over the same period the year before. Aid workers described the increase as an emergency situation that should serve as a ?ringing alarm bell?.

It was the culmination of several years of decreasing vaccination coverage due to rising insecurity, decreased access, difficult terrain and harsh winters that cut off thousands of villages. Last year?s severe drought also contributed...