Nakivale (Uganda): appearance of measles cases

Declaration of the highly contagious respiratory viral disease, measles, in the Nakivale camp. Among the emergency measures decided, there is the swift vaccination of all children aged between 9 and 15 months. Nakivale is home to more than 140,000 occupants including more than 33,000 Burundian refugees. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The viral disease first broke out in the Kashojwa B zone. In less than a month, about twenty cases were recorded there. These are figures provided by health sources. All patients were admitted to the camp’s health facilities. The disease is spreading to other villages, according to our sources.

Emergency measures

A major emergency measure has just been taken: “the vaccination of all children aged 9 to 15 months” to try to stop the spread of this disease. Refugees are asking the health structures in the camp to “do everything to halt the disease”.

Health officials reassure the occupants of the Nakivale camp that the emergency measures have started to produce positive effects because, “no new cases have been reported, and even cases treated in hospitals are progressing well and several patients have returned, cured”.

Measles manifests itself by a rash preceded by rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough, accompanied by a very high fever and great fatigue. “Recovery takes place in about ten days, but sometimes serious complications can occur”, warn health workers who ask administrators at the grassroot to report any child having such symptoms. Nakivale has more than 140,000 refugees, including more than 33,000 Burundians.