Measles outbreak kills 20 children in Lower Shabelle
By: Ahmed Mohamed
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At least 20 people mostly children under the age of five were confirmed dead due to measles outbreak in Mandera village of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.
Several others suffering from measles were hospitalized according to health officials in the region.
Mandera village chief, Saalah Mohamed Ali told Goobjoog News that the outbreak has mostly affected children in the locality and surrounding areas.
Ali said there were no healths facilities close by and the disease was fast spreading to other areas.
“All the children were not vaccinated against measles. We are appealing for urgent help because hundreds of children are at risk,” he said.
The vulnerable children and adults, already struggling to cope with malnutrition and food insecurity caused in large part by the failure of 2016’s two rainy seasons, were struck down by the deadly disease after drinking contaminated water
Due to chronic insecurity, many have no access to primary health care in south-central regions, and deadly diseases including measles continue to grow rife.
Measles, a viral respiratory infection that spreads through air and contact with infected mucus and saliva, thrives in congested, unsanitary displacement settlements that have multiplied across the country as people flee drought.
By: Ahmed Mohamed