By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

Central African Republic

On 24 January, the Central African Republic Ministry of Health declared a national epidemic of measles. The World Health Organization reported from 1 January 2019 to 9 February 2020, a total of 5 724 suspected measles cases, including 83 deaths (case fatality ratio 1.45%) have been reported in 13 health districts.

Image/CDC

The outbreak is evolving rapidly in numbers and expanding geographically (13 out of the 35 districts in the country). Of the 13 districts with active measles outbreaks, five have been newly affected in 2020, namely Bangui in an urban area, Baboua-Abba, Nangha-Boguila, Bossémbélé, and Ouango-Gambo in rural areas.

Ethiopia

Since the beginning of the year, health officials have 1,873 measles cases in Ethiopia and since an outbreak was declared on Jan. 24, 700 cases were reported. The outbreak was declared in  East Wollega, Oromia region, with the first case dating back to early December 2019.

However, the International Organization for Migration says the actual caseload in the community remains undetermined due to inaccessibility of some among the affected areas.

The outbreak has claimed five lives in East Wollega, but thanks to intensified surveillance and case management, no further measles-related deaths were recorded after 27 January.