North Darfur sees spike in measles cases post-Eid al-Adha
While nine localities in Central, South and West Darfur battle a severe yellow fever outbreak, which has claimed at least 42 lives so far, North Darfur is seeing a spike in measles in the past week, according to a Radio Dabanga report Nov. 6.
Image/CIA
Measles cases in North Darfur has increased to 77, as opposed to the 52 cases registered before Eid al-Adha (Oct. 26-28, 2012), according to health officials.
Ministry officials say the affected areas are El-Sref Beni Hussein, Kabkabiya and Saraf Omra.
The Director of the Ministry of Health in North Darfur, Dr. Munir Mohammed Mattar, attributed the increase of measles cases to to highly populated gold mining area of Jebel ‘Amer, which counts 60.000 workers, according to the report.
Mattar says there is no yellow fever in North Darfur to date.
Measles or rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease that is characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease. A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and then spreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms include fever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may be contagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four days after rash appearance.
The disease is more severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles which is reported in up to 20% of people infected include; seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.
Prevention of measles is through vaccination.
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