Niger - Measles outbreak 2022 - 2023

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Tahoua Region
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahoua_Region


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357 children with measles in Birnin Konni

March 15, 2022

Measles is a viral and highly contagious disease most common in children. In Birnin Konni, in the Tahoua region, 357 cases were discovered in children. These measles cases continue to climb in the department.

According to Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, the communicator of the health district at the microphone of Studio Kalangou: " We were confronted with the threat of measles from the beginning of the year because we recorded about 357 cases, especially children" he adds that new cases continue to be recorded in several villages of the locality and even in the town of Konni.

Still according to Ousmane Abdoul Moumouni, a vaccination campaign was launched as soon as the disease appeared. Those who are already affected are under treatment. This vaccination campaign should reach 60,000 children of whom only 20,000 have been vaccinated so far.

Measles is transmitted by droplets of saliva and through the air. It is characterized by the following symptoms: fever, rash (red spots) on the skin, which start on the face and then spread over the whole body, red and watery eyes; symptoms that are very similar to those of the common cold.

In Niger, the measles epidemic is very frequent in several regions. Mainly in the Tahoua region, which seems to be the area most weakened by this epidemic, according to this article by Studio Kalangou published on January 11, 2019.

The State has been trying for years to eradicate this disease through multiple vaccination campaigns. . But also through awareness campaigns in health districts. Despite all these efforts, the measles epidemic is struggling to disappear in the country.

In an article published for this purpose and available on this link , Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) recalls that to prevent the population against the spread of measles, the coverage rate must be at least 95%, which remains very often an elusive goal.

The World Health Organization, WHO in one of these studies available on this link states that between 2000 and 2016, it is estimated that measles vaccination prevented 20.4 million deaths, making this vaccine the best investment in public health.

https://www.studiokalangou.org/68475...e-birnin-konni

 

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 15: 4 – 10 April 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 10 April 2022
...
All events currently being monitored by WHO AFRO
...

Niger Measles
...
Niger is experiencing a measles outbreak since January 2022, with seven regions affected out of eight for the country. A total of 3 420 suspected cases and 4 deaths m (CFR 0.1%) are reported as of end of March 2022; 53 (73.6%) health districts reported at least 1 suspected case and 23 health districts with confirmed outbreak.

Among the 992 cases tested, 323 cases (32.6%) have been confirmed positive for measles. For cases reported, 56.3% of cases are less than five years old, 43.8% of cases were not vaccinated, 41.1% of suspected cases have unknown vaccination status, and 15.2% have been vaccinated.

View/Open

OEW15-0410042022.pdf (‎2.192Mb)‎

 

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 19: 2 – 8 May 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 8 May 2022
...

Measles Niger

5 344 cases
5 Death
0.1% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Niger continues to experience a steep rise in cases of measles
since the beginning of 2022. In epidemiological week 15 (week
ending 17 April 2022), 695 new cases were reported across
the country representing the highest weekly number of cases
reported in the last five years. Cumulatively, 5 344 cases including
five deaths (case fatality ratio 0.1%) have been reported since the
beginning of 2022.

The majority of cases are among children under 5 years
accounting for 56.3% (n=3 008) of the cumulative cases reported
since the beginning of the year. A total of 2 340 (43.8%) cases
were reportedly unvaccinated against measles.

All eight regions of the country have reported cases of measles.
However, the Zinder (n= 1 868) and Tahoua (n= 1 294) regions are
the most affected and together account for 59% of the cumulative
cases. Of the country’s 72 districts, 23 have crossed the measles
epidemic threshold.

The national administrative vaccination coverage for second dose
measles-containing vaccine was reportedly 70% in 2021, the
highest in the last five years. However, coverage is not uniform
across the country and remains sub-optimal, particularly in hard to
reach and border areas with high levels of insecurity. Recent
risk assessment also showed that more than half (53%, n=38) of
the country’s 72 districts remain at either very high or high risk
of measles epidemics.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Ministry of Health and partners are supporting the following
activities to control the ongoing Outbreak:

The National Incident Management system (IMS) has been
activated to respond to the measles outbreak under the
leadership of the Ministry of Health of Niger with involvement
of multisector partners and stakeholders.

A national strategic measles outbreak response plan has been
developed to guide implementation of response activities.
Case management activities are being supported with
provision of medical supplies and technical support to
clinicians by the Ministry of Health and partners.

Reactive vaccination campaigns have been conducted in
Koni District in the Tahoua Region while plans are underway
to commence reactive vaccinations in Maradi and Diffa
regions.

Cross-border collaboration with Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso
and Mali activities are ongoing.

Risk communication and social mobilization activities in
affected districts are ongoing with the support of WHO and
partners.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

Measles is endemic in Niger with recurrent measles epidemics
and peaks observed during the dry season from November to May.
The likelihood of propagation of the measles outbreak is a major
concern due to the accumulation of susceptible populations in
the presence of risk factors, such as the low vaccination coverage
and the high malnutrition rates. Most of the worst affected
districts are on the border with neighbouring countries where
the fragile security situation affects the implementation of routine
vaccination activities. Cross-border transmission of measles
resulting from mass population movements along these long
porous borders with neighbouring countries have also challenged
response efforts.

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OEW19-0202052022.pdf (‎1.834Mb)‎

https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/354215

 

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WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 4: 16 to 22 January 2023
Data as reported by: 17:00; 22 January 2023
...
All events currently being monitored by WHO AFRO
..

Niger Measles Ungraded

Date notified to WCO 5-Apr-22
Start of reporting period 1-Jan-22
End of reporting period 14-Jan-23

Total cases 14 153
Cases Confirmed 722
Deaths 32
CFR 0.2%

From week 1 to week 52 (ending on 31 December ) of 2022, 14 127 cases and 32 deaths (CFR: 0.2%) have been reported. 94% (68/72) of the districts of Niger notified at least one suspected case of measles. In week 1 of 2023, 26 cases and zero deaths were notified in five regions, namely Dosso (7 suspected cases), Zinder (7 suspected cases), Diffa (6 suspected cases), Tahoua (7 suspected cases) and Maradi ( 2 suspected cases).

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/365707/OEW04-1622012023.pdf