By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting a measles outbreak in the African nation of Burundi.
The outbreak, which started in a refugee transit camp where people arrived from from measles-affected provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Refugees spend 21 days in the Transit Camp of Cishemere before they are sent to permanent camps in Nyankanda and Bwagiriza refugee camps in Butezi, Kavumu camp of Cankuzo, Garsowe camp of Muyinga and Mulumba camp at Kiremba.
The outbreak was identified when suspected measles cases had been reported by the local residents in the surrounding areas, highlighting pockets of under-vaccinated populations. According to WHO/UNICEF 2018 estimates, measles first dose vaccination coverage is relatively high (88%), and slightly lower for the second dose (77%). However, this does not reflect the vaccination coverage of incoming refugees.
The majority of cases (77%) were either unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status.
As of 27 April 2020, 857 confirmed measles cases have been notified from four districts, including: Cibitoke (624 cases), Butezi (221 cases), Cankuzo (6 cases) and South Bujumbura (6 cases).
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