Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 12: 14 – 20 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 20 March 2022
...
Measles South Sudan
209 cases
2 Deaths
0.9% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Sporadic cases of measles have been reported in South Sudan
since late 2021. Consequently, a measles outbreak was declared in
the country on 23 February 2022. The outbreak has so far affected
three counties of Torit, Maban and Tambura. These three counties
are from Eastern Equatoria, Upper Nile and Western Equatoria
States, respectively.
As of week 9 (ending 6 March 2022), a total of 209 measles cases
and two deaths (CFR = 0.9%) have been reported. Most cases are
children under five years old (59.3%) and males have been more
affected (53.0%) than female.
Maban County has reported the highest measles cases (77.0%,
161/209) with zero death, and majority of the cases have been
reported from Dolo refugee’s camp. Wadaga and Balila villages
are the most affected within Dolo camp. About 51% of cases are
male and 56% of cases are children under five years old. Of the 10
samples tested at National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), four
tested measles IgM positive, while five tested rubella IgM positive.
Torit county started reporting measles cases in week 49, 2021
(ending 12 December) and a total of 43 cases have been listed with
two deaths (CFR= 4.6%). Out of the 10 samples collected from this
county, seven tested measles IgM positive and one positive for
rubella IgM. Over 82% of the cases are children under five years
old. To date, the most affected area is Himuro village with 36 cases
out of 43 reported in the county.
Tambura County started reporting measles cases in week 8, 2022
(ending 27 February). A total of five cases have been listed and
two new cases reported in week 9, 2022, with 60% male; and 40%
of the cases are children under five years old. Most affected area
is Tambura and Nzara villages. Out of the nine samples tested in
the NPHL, three turned measles IgM positive and six rubella IgM
positive.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
In Maban County, trainings on vaccination and adverse
events following immunization as well as social mobilization
were conducted on 5 and 6 March 2022, before reactive
vaccination campaign that started on 7 March 2022.
For Torit County, reactive vaccination campaign was planned
to start on 16 March 2022 targeting 25 150 children aged
6-59 months.
In Tamboura County, a vaccination micro plan was developed
targeting children aged 6-59 months in the IDP camps. Line
listing continues as well as case management and enhancing
community awareness on case reporting and routine
immunization.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The measles outbreak reported within a camp is of grave concern
given the poor living conditions that may escalate the outbreak.
As per health authorities, the ongoing measles outbreaks are
attributed to suboptimal measles routine immunization coverage
in Eastern Equatoria and Upper Nile States. Improvement in
vaccination coverage is highly recommended to reduce the risk
for future outbreaks. Apart from measles, rubella outbreaks have
also been confirmed in Gogial West and Cueibet counties. South
Sudan is among countries with protracted humanitarian situation
with huge health needs that require supports from its partners.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
Good vaccination coverage against measles remains the
key for outbreaks prevention. It is therefore important to
deploy the required efforts to improve the current routine
vaccination coverage.
While implementing response activities in the camps, the
same efforts should also be deployed for host communities
to avoid reversing the control efforts put in place in these
camps.
Since a rubella outbreak has been confirmed in some
areas, country-wide vaccination is required to interrupt the
transmission of both measles and rubella.
View/Open
OEW12-1420032022.pdf (1.957Mb)
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/352570
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 12: 14 – 20 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 20 March 2022
...
Measles South Sudan
209 cases
2 Deaths
0.9% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Sporadic cases of measles have been reported in South Sudan
since late 2021. Consequently, a measles outbreak was declared in
the country on 23 February 2022. The outbreak has so far affected
three counties of Torit, Maban and Tambura. These three counties
are from Eastern Equatoria, Upper Nile and Western Equatoria
States, respectively.
As of week 9 (ending 6 March 2022), a total of 209 measles cases
and two deaths (CFR = 0.9%) have been reported. Most cases are
children under five years old (59.3%) and males have been more
affected (53.0%) than female.
Maban County has reported the highest measles cases (77.0%,
161/209) with zero death, and majority of the cases have been
reported from Dolo refugee’s camp. Wadaga and Balila villages
are the most affected within Dolo camp. About 51% of cases are
male and 56% of cases are children under five years old. Of the 10
samples tested at National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), four
tested measles IgM positive, while five tested rubella IgM positive.
Torit county started reporting measles cases in week 49, 2021
(ending 12 December) and a total of 43 cases have been listed with
two deaths (CFR= 4.6%). Out of the 10 samples collected from this
county, seven tested measles IgM positive and one positive for
rubella IgM. Over 82% of the cases are children under five years
old. To date, the most affected area is Himuro village with 36 cases
out of 43 reported in the county.
Tambura County started reporting measles cases in week 8, 2022
(ending 27 February). A total of five cases have been listed and
two new cases reported in week 9, 2022, with 60% male; and 40%
of the cases are children under five years old. Most affected area
is Tambura and Nzara villages. Out of the nine samples tested in
the NPHL, three turned measles IgM positive and six rubella IgM
positive.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
In Maban County, trainings on vaccination and adverse
events following immunization as well as social mobilization
were conducted on 5 and 6 March 2022, before reactive
vaccination campaign that started on 7 March 2022.
For Torit County, reactive vaccination campaign was planned
to start on 16 March 2022 targeting 25 150 children aged
6-59 months.
In Tamboura County, a vaccination micro plan was developed
targeting children aged 6-59 months in the IDP camps. Line
listing continues as well as case management and enhancing
community awareness on case reporting and routine
immunization.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The measles outbreak reported within a camp is of grave concern
given the poor living conditions that may escalate the outbreak.
As per health authorities, the ongoing measles outbreaks are
attributed to suboptimal measles routine immunization coverage
in Eastern Equatoria and Upper Nile States. Improvement in
vaccination coverage is highly recommended to reduce the risk
for future outbreaks. Apart from measles, rubella outbreaks have
also been confirmed in Gogial West and Cueibet counties. South
Sudan is among countries with protracted humanitarian situation
with huge health needs that require supports from its partners.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
Good vaccination coverage against measles remains the
key for outbreaks prevention. It is therefore important to
deploy the required efforts to improve the current routine
vaccination coverage.
While implementing response activities in the camps, the
same efforts should also be deployed for host communities
to avoid reversing the control efforts put in place in these
camps.
Since a rubella outbreak has been confirmed in some
areas, country-wide vaccination is required to interrupt the
transmission of both measles and rubella.
View/Open
OEW12-1420032022.pdf (1.957Mb)
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/352570
