Cross-border measles watch needed

AS another case of measles was confirmed in the Engela District of the Ohangwena Region, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 13, the WHO has called for increased cross-border monitoring and action.

The total number of suspected cases now stands at 48, up from 42 earlier this week, with confirmed cases in Namibia standing at 13. In Angola, a report last week indicated at least 67 suspected cases.A report from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Oshakati Field Office indicates that while suspected cases show an equal balance from Namibian and Angolan residents, nine of the 13 confirmed cases are of Angolan residents.The National Health Emergency Management Committee (NHEMC) has indicated that the outbreak in the District is a spill-over from a mass outbreak in the Cunene Province of Angola.The WHO report also states that ‘it is clear that the measles is striking at risk groups’, with suspected cases involving seven children under the age of nine months, and 31 people above the age of 12 years old.Measles immunisation campaigns mainly target children between nine months and one year old, with supplementary vaccinations for children below the age of five. The relatively large number of suspected cases under the age of nine months is therefore a cause for concern, as they have not yet attained immunity against the virus.The report also attributes the large number of cases over the age of 12 to waned measles immunity, or to non-immunisation.Regarding action being undertaken by the Ohangwena Regional Health Office, the report states that refresher training has been planned for nurses and doctors on measles management, that a training session for all clinicians and private practitioners in the area will be held next week to sensitise them on the outbreak, that daily disease surveillance and reporting is being conducted, and that routine vaccination is continuing.The report has also suggested that health officials in Angola and Namibia should share information on the outbreak situation on either side of the border, and that ‘a mechanism for urgent joint cross-border intervention is required to address this measles outbreak and future health threats’.The report also recommends the vaccination of at-risk groups, particularly children between six and nine months, and consideration for vaccinating the risk group above the age of 12.’The supplementary vaccination should be cross border and conducted concurrently to yield better results,’ the WHO report states.nangula@namibian.com.na