Impact of Measles Outbreak In Zimbabwe A Concern For UNICEF

By Wallace Mawire [caption id="attachment_100206" align="alignnone" width="1140"] UNICEFZimbabwe/2021/John Mokwetsi
UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr. Tajudeen Oyewale[/caption] The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Zimbabwe has reported that it is deeply concerned with the numbers of cases and deaths among children due to a measles outbreak in Zimbabwe. According to a statement on 10 April 2022 by Dr Tajudeen Oyewale,UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Mutasa District in Manicaland Province was the first district to report a measles outbreak. According to the latest data shared by the Government of Zimbabwe through the weekly Disease Surveillance System, a total of 6034 suspected cases,4266 recoveries and 685deaths have so far been recorded since the onset of the outbreak. Manicaland Province has the highest burden (52.5%) and highest case fatality rate (9.8%). UNICEF and partners are supporting the Government’s response and the Rapid Response Teams the Government has deployed in the affected districts. UNICEF assists the Government to control the outbreak through the tracking of cases in the community and through supplementary immunization activities. The measles campaign targets more than 2 million children aged between 6 months and 5 years and more than 4 million children aged 5 to 15 years. UNICEF and partners are also supporting risk communication and community engagement activities rolled out by the Government. Vaccine hesitancy in communities is addressed with Information, Education and Communication materials and interpersonal communication highlighting the benefits of the vaccines. UNICEF and partners are helping to collect and respond to misinformation and rumors circulating within communities. UNICEF also said that they thank the Measles Rubella Initiative, GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, the partners of the Health Development Fundealth Development Fund  and all other donors for supporting the Government led response to the measles outbreak and the purchase of additional measles vaccine doses, and for their continuous support to the children of Zimbabwe.