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Measles

Sixty-one cases of measles have been confirmed in 13 counties of Liberia amid fresh outbreaks of Lassa fever, Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), neo-natal tetanus, meningitis and yellow fever.

Liberia map/CIA
Liberia map/CIA

In its latest Liberia Weekly Epidemiology and Surveillance Bulletin, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the cases were confirmed in the Maryland, Grand Kru, Nimba, Montserrado, Rivercess, Margibi, Grand Bassa, River Gee, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Grand Cape Mount, Sinoe and Bong counties.

“Twenty cases were Epi-linked due to the ongoing outbreak of measles in Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, Margibi and Grand Bassa, involving 16 health districts. 23 specimens were collected and sent to the National Reference Laboratory pending results, while 18 were compatible,” the report stated.

Of the affected, 12% are vaccinated, 20% non-vaccinated while 7% are of unknown immunization status. The suspected cases are aged between 1 and 5 years of age. Case management is ongoing alongside active searches and community engagements for suspected cases.

Acute Flaccid Paralysis

Four cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) have been confirmed in four counties. To date, 31 cases have been reported. Of these, 26 cases have tested negative while test results for 5 are still pending.  

Lassa fever

According to the bulletin, 9 suspected Lassa fever cases were reported from the Bong, Margibi, Montserrado and Nimba counties. To date, 116 suspected cases have been reported with 33 deaths.

Yellow fever

Two cases of yellow fever have been confirmed in the Grand Cape Mount and River Gee counties. Forty-four of 48 suspected cases have tested negative while results from two are still pending