Namibia: 2024 Measles

[Shiloh]

Source: https://economist.com.na/88511/health/measles-outbreak-confirmed-in-erongo-region-ministry-responds/


Measles outbreak confirmed in Erongo Region – Ministry responds
Posted by News Service | Jun 7, 2024 | Health

​A measles outbreak has been officially declared in the Erongo Region, as announced by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in a statement this week.

The outbreak, which was initiated in January, has resulted in a total of 93 suspected cases, revealed MoHSS executive director Ben Nangombe.

“The first measles-positive case was confirmed from a cluster of 10 suspected cases detected in March. Subsequently, contact tracing was initiated in April 2024 to identify additional cases. Blood samples collected from suspected cases revealed five more positive cases. The confirmed cases span from 7 years to 12 years of age,” Nangombe said.

Fortunately, Nangombe assured that all confirmed cases are either in stable condition or have successfully recovered, with no instances of hospitalization or fatalities reported.​..

 

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 24: 10 - 16 June 2024
Data as reported by: 17:00; 16 June 2024
...
Namibia

Measles

105 Cases
0 Deaths
0 % CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The ongoing measles outbreak in Erongo Region in
Namibia began in March 2024 when primary school
learners at a private hostel presented with a skin rash
at Okongue Clinic. Initially diagnosed as chickenpox,
measles was later suspected, and the first positive result
was confirmed on 1 April 2024. Subsequent contact
tracing and active case finding confirmed additional
cases on 22 May 2024.

As of 7 June 2024, 105 suspected cases were reported
across four health districts in the Erongo Region, including
10 confirmed cases and no deaths. The highest number of
cases has been reported in Omaruru district, accounting
for (72.4%), 76 suspected cases. Other affected districts
include Walvis Bay, with 17 suspected cases; Usakos,
with seven suspected cases; and Swakopmund, with five
suspected cases. The majority of suspected cases in
Omaruru are primarily from Okongue village.

Omaruru district has reported nine out of the 10 confirmed
cases, including five females ranging from six to 13. The
5-9 age group accounts for seven of these cases. The
remaining confirmed case was recorded in Walvis Bay
district. The vaccination status of the confirmed cases
remains largely unknown.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Ministry and rapid response structures have been
established, including coordination, Surveillance and
Laboratory, Infection Prevention and Control, Case
Management, Risk Communication and Community
Engagement, and Psychosocial Support.

Rapid response teams, consisting of medical
officers, field epidemiology residents, environmental
health officers, and nurses, have been deployed to
Okongue for investigation, contact tracing, and active
case finding.

On 5 and 6 June, a vaccination drive was conducted
for children in the Okongue hostel, excluding those
who were unwell or had tested positive. A targeted
vaccination campaign to cover the entire region is
planned for 8-12 July 2024.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement
activities include community sensitization during a
funeral gathering, and ongoing community education
efforts have been conducted.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Despite the zero case-fatality rate and no hospitalizations, the
current measles outbreak in the Erongo Region underscores
significant public health challenges. The outbreak has
highlighted gaps in vaccination coverage, particularly in
isolated communities like the Okongue hostel. The age
distribution of confirmed cases suggests a potentially
susceptible population that missed routine immunizations.

https://www.afro.who.int/countries/...and-other-emergencies-week-24-10-16-june-2024