South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Lakes State has recorded 12 cases of measles after testing 30 samples from 184 suspected cases.
Maker Malok, the State Director General for the Ministry of Health on Monday told The Dawn, that the cases were confirmed last week from samples collected in Rumbek East, Rumbek Center, Cueibet, and Wulu County after samples were sent to the public health laboratory in Juba.
“We have some suspected cases in different villages across the counties of Lakes State, but they have not been officially recorded. The few cases that are coming to health facilities are the ones we have managed to record so far,” Malok said.
In response to the rising number of cases, a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting children aged 6 months to 5 years was launched on April 24.
Malok emphasized that the focus of the campaign is on young children, as they are the primary group affected by the outbreak.
“Adults are not included in the campaign. The majority of cases and complications we are seeing are among young children who have not been immunized,” he disclosed.
While some parents have vaccinated their children, many children especially those in cattle camps and fishing villages remain not vaccinated.
Malok warned that those not vaccinated may not visit health facilities and could develop measles in their communities.
Despite the absence of specific treatment for measles, Malok reassured the public that the disease is preventable through vaccination.
“The disease is preventable with the vaccine, and there is no direct treatment. If a child contracts it, the disease will usually resolve on its own, provided the child’s immune system is functioning properly,” he said.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said recently that 72 suspected measles cases were reported across Rumbek Central, Wulu, Rumbek East, and Cueibet Counties, adding that the State health authorities are aiming to immunize 297,867 children aged 6 months to 5 years.
“UNICEF is committed to ensuring the vaccine supply chain is functional, reaching all children, leaving no child behind,” Dr. Kawa Koul Tong, UNICEF Health Officer said.
He also called for collective action in the fight against measles because it is a fatal disease.
“Let’s join hands as county medical officers, the Ministry of Health, and communities to vaccinate every child,” Tong said.
