Zimbabwe's health authorities are trying to contain a measles epidemic that has infected more than 2,000 people and killed at least 157 children. The country's health ministry has blamed the epidemic on religious sects that oppose vaccination. The government wants all children vaccinated before schools reopen in early September. He said a contagious viral disease causing fever and red rash was rampant in Manicaland province.
She said 1,270 of her cases and 122 of her deaths had been recorded in the state as of Tuesday.
“None of the victims had been vaccinated against measles. We have an inoculation program in place," said Mtsbangwa. Religious leaders for their support of vaccination programs.
The government, with the help of UN agencies such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, is looking to vaccinate all children aged 6 to her 15, said Zimbabwe's regional government minister. said Mr. Julai Moyo.
Moyo said the goal is to end vaccination as soon as possible.
“The Civil Protection Division has come together to analyze what needs to be done. There is," said Moyo. This year he said in July and he said in August that a lot of churches are gathering and that's how this measles spreads, so we're going to target those people so they can be vaccinated. I'm here.
Dr. Cleofas Chimbetete, president of the Zimbabwe College of Public Health and Medicine, said the government must continue to talk to religious leaders of sects that do not believe in vaccination to prevent measles epidemics. Says.
"This is the second and saddest because measles is one of the vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. ...In this case, we realize that the majority of affected children belong to a particular denomination, and sadly, this denomination is
A previous measles outbreak in Manicaland province in May affected 137 people and killed about 20, said Chimbettete.
