Increasing measles cases worry – Eastern PS

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Eularia Mwale, has expressed concern at the continued increase of new cases of measles in the Province.

In a speech read for her by Deputy Permanent Secretary Nicholas Banda, Mrs. Mwale stated that the province has recorded 6,149 cases since last year when the outbreak was first reported with more than fifty percent being reported among children above the age of five.

She was speaking at the Eastern Province Epidemic preparedness meeting at Luangwa Lodge in Chipata yesterday.

Mrs. Mwale observed that Lundazi district had continued to report the highest number of measles cases with 5,519 reported cases.

Mrs. Mwale said there was need for continued sensitization on the need for people to take their children for immunization saying measles was preventable in at least 85 percent of those who were immunized.

She expressed concern that there were still pockets of people who were denying their children access to measles vaccines on religious beliefs adding that this had led to undesirable consequences.

The Permanent Secretary urged public health workers to intervene and involve other relevant government offices to ensure that children were not denied the much needed service in line with the Public Health Act.

“Our records show that most of the developed measles were either not vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown, so we need to encourage parents to take their children to health facilities during the bi-annual child health week campaigns so that they can benefit
from the various health services that are provided,” Mrs. Mwale said.

And Lundazi District Medical Officer Allan Chisenga said there was need for measles vaccines to be given even to people above the age of five years if the diseases was to be effectively addressed.

Dr. Chisenga stated that more than fifty percent of the new cases were reported in children above five years although no deaths had been recorded among these age groups.

The District Medical official stated that the district health team had identified Munyukwa, Kanyanga,and Mwase-Lundazi as the areas that were mostly hit by the epidemic.

He noted that the district reported 1,519 since January this year saying 21 people have died since the first case was reported last year.

And Katete District Commissioner Elemani Mwanza attributed the increase of measles cases in his districts to interactions with affected people from neighboring Mozambique.

Mr. Mwanza said most of the cases reported in the district were either near the border with Mozambique or among members of the apostolic faith who do not allow their children to be immunized.

He stated that district authorities used force by engaging police officers and chiefs to ensure that all children were immunized in the last immunization campaign.

“All children were, regardless of their religious background, immunized and the district recorded a success during the last child health week,” he said.

Mr. Mwanza also pointed out that traditional leaders had taken an active role and ensured that all parents in their chiefdoms took their children for vaccination.

Meanwhile, Nyimba district reported 500 measles cases most of which were recorded in Chipembe and Kalambakuwa areas.

District Medical Officer Nyambe Sinyambe said no deaths were recorded as a result of measles in Nyimba district.
[ ZANIS ]