NAIROBI (Halbeeg News) – The outbreak of measles has claimed the lives of two people in Wajir county.
According to the county, the disease was first detected in Wajir North in September last year.
Preventive and Promotive Healthcare Services deputy director Adam Hassan said 130 people were diagnosed with the disease.
“We have begun carrying out campaigns in various parts of the county to educate the public about the disease in a bid to prevent further spread,” he said.
According to Hassan, 88 cases have so far been recorded in Wajir North, 39 in Wajir West, 11 in Wajir East and 1 in Tarbaj.
The worst-hit areas are Bute, Danaba and Qarsa Bulla (in Wajir North) and Hadado and Mau-mau in Wajir West.
According to the World Health Organisation, measles is extremely contagious and “it remains a main cause of death among young children globally, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine”.
It is spread through droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons.
It adds that “initial symptoms, which usually appear 10–12 days after infection, include high fever, a runny nose, bloodshot eyes, and tiny white spots on the inside of the mouth.”
Several days later, a rash develops, starting on the face and upper neck and gradually spreading downwards.
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