Thousands of Children in Somalia Threatened by Measles

Thousands of children in war-torn Somalia are facing a risk of death or disability due to the outbreak of highly contagious measles

Thousands of children in war-torn Somalia are facing a risk of death or disability due to the outbreak of highly contagious measles.

Recent rates of infection are four times higher than the same time last year, and a vaccination campaign must be "urgently conducted to prevent thousands of avoidable deaths", the UN children's agency UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a joint statement.

Measles | Rubeola - Causes, Symptoms, Complications, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
Measles is a viral infection with symptoms of fever,and rashes. Measles is prevented by vaccination and staying away from the infected individuals.

The outbreak comes amid renewed warnings impoverished Somalia risks sliding back into acute crisis less than three years since a devastating famine, amid poor rains, escalating conflict and aid funding shortfalls.

"We have a very high number of malnourished Somali children," UNICEF chief for Somalia Sikander Khan said.

"Malnourished children here are more susceptible to disease, and are more likely to die or suffer life long disability such as blindness, deafness or brain damage as a result of contracting measles."

Government Might Conduct Measles Vaccination Campaign
The Union Government may go in for an immunisation campaign similar to pulse polio programme to administer a booster dose of measles vaccine.

WHO head for Somalia, Ghulam Popal, said the outbreak was "extremely alarming", warning that 10 percent of children infected could die from complications.

Around half a million children have been vaccinated in recent months, but the UN says some five million in total need protection.

Measles: No Measly Threat!
Measles has not been feared for a while due to its eradication, yet people could still be susceptible to an attack especially if they have not been vaccinated says a recent report.

In some parts of Somalia -- notably southern and central regions including areas where African Union troops are battling Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents -- immunisation rates are as low as 15 percent.

Less than a third of children aged under a year were vaccinated countrywide in 2013.

Somalia was the hardest hit by extreme drought in 2011 that affected over 13 million people across the Horn of Africa, with famine zones declared in large parts of the war-ravaged south.

One in five children dies before their fifth birthday with measles one of the main causes, according to the UN.

The measles campaign would cost some nine million dollars (6.6 million euros), but aid agencies are already struggling to raise the funds needed for other emergencies in the country.

Source-AFP