According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, which affects mostly children. It is transmitted via droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. Initial symptoms, which usually appear 10–12 days after infection, include high fever, runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth. Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.
At a press conference held in Freetown, Dr. Mariama Murray Deputy Programme Manager, Child Health Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Ministry of Health and Sanitation confirmed to the press that Sierra Leone is currently suffering from a Measles Outbreak.
She said the country has recorded over 977 suspected cases with 64 laboratory confirmed cases and 815 confirmed by epidemiological linkage that have been investigated. She further asserted that majority of the cases have been reported from Western Area, Bombali, Kenema, Bo, Koinadugu and Kambia districts.
The Deputy Programme Manager, Child Health Expanded Programme went on to say 90.7% of the measles cases are under 15years of age with the highest (68.8%) proportion under five. She confirmed that there is still active transmission of measles with 32% of cases occurring between the ages of 5-15 years.
MamaYe Koinadgu Advocacy Group has been working with the DHMT to take key messages on measles prevention to schools (daycare schools), primary schools, market places, participate in radio discussion and conduct interviews with the District Medical Officer(DMO) on the district health plans to prevent the disease form spreading in the district.
The Group has been attending District Social Mobilization meetings at the DHMT to have real time updates on the disease situation.
Based on my findings about the strategy the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has put in place to contain the viral disease from infecting more children, I gathered that the Ministry has started rolling out nationwide campaign in two phases.
The first phase stared in Western Area due to an unprecedented increase in measles cases. The second phase focuses on schools, as all school going children under 15yrs receives the measles marklate (vaccination).
Micheal A. N’dolie, EPI Surveillance Officer, World Health Organisation in Sierra Leone said measles is a viral disease infection hence has not specific treatment; management is purely supportive especially to prevent complications, bed rest, frequent feeding, plenty of fluid intake and control of fever.
He added that measles is an acute and highly infectious illness transmitted through the respiratory droplets or contact with nasal and throat secretions of the person and can be transmitted four days before rash becomes visible.
UNICEF’s Victor Salu Immunization Specialist said they are committed to providing the necessary vaccination throughout the process. He further called for more sensitization and asked the media to be more proactive in passing the message.
It’s worth noting that the immunisation exercise for children under 15yrs had started from the 25th April, and ended on Sunday 1st May, 2016 for children in Western Area. In the case of children in the districts its has already began from Monday 9th May, 2016 and will end on Sunday 15th May, 2016 including Koinadugu district.
Latest update from UNICEF Sierra Leone's facebook page for Wednesday 11th May, 2016:
"Results just coming in show that we've reached some 883,084 children between six months and 15 years of age in Sierra Leone's Western Area with measles vaccine. That accounts for over 96% of those targeted for that area. Vaccinators are still working in the other regions of the country trying to get as many children as possible vaccinated in a bid to stop the recent outbreak.The campaign is organized by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation with support from UNICEF, WHO, MSF and other partners".