By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Provincial national disease surveillance authorities in Afghanistan have reported three measles outbreaks at the end of March 2021.

Image/CIA

On 31 March, two outbreaks were reported in Ashtaqzaiy and Sarab villages in Chora district, Uruzgan province. On 28 March, another outbreak was reported in Atgharo village, Qalat district, Zabul province. A total of 30 children were affected: 20 in Chora and 10 in Qalat.

One child reportedly died and the others are receiving medical treatment.

According to WHO, a measles campaign targeting 40,889 children under 10 started in Lashkargah and Nahr-e-Saraj districts, Hilmand province on 3 April. Between 3 and 6 April, 15,123 children including 7,143 girls and 7,980 boys were vaccinated.

The vaccination teams are facing some challenges in non-state armed group (NSAG)-controlled areas, but negotiations are ongoing at the local level.

Measles is a contagious disease caused by the measles virus and is spread by droplets from respiratory secretions of infected persons when coughing or sneezing. People at high risk for severe illness and complications from measles include infants and children aged <5 years, pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems, such as from certain cancers and HIV infection.

Vaccination is the most important way of preventing measles.