Zimbabwe: Measles outbreak leaves 157 children dead

In Zimbabwe, a measles outbreak has been killed more than 150 children. The government said the death toll reached nearly double in just a week. Zimbabwe's Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said, the total number of suspected cases nationwide has jumped from 1,036 to 2,056 in just four days. Ms. Mutsvangwa said, the government would step up vaccination and has invoked special legislation allowing it to draw money from the national disaster fund to deal with the emergency. The measles virus mainly affects children. The most serious complications are blindness, diarrhoea and severe respiratory infections. The first symptoms are usually a red rash on the face, which then spreads to the rest of the body.
She said, the government would engage with traditional and faith leaders to garner their support for the vaccination campaign, adding most victims were not vaccinated. The authorities said, cases have been growing rapidly in the southern African nation since the first infection was logged earlier this month. The measles virus attacks mainly children with the most serious complications including blindness, brain swelling, diarrhea and severe respiratory infections. According to media reports, earlier in April, the World Health Organization said, Africa was facing an explosion of preventable diseases due to delays in vaccinating children.