Six new cases of measles have been reported in Bor, Jonglei State, according to the hospital’s administration.
Nineteen adults and children were diagnosed with measles at the hospital between November and December.
As per the World Health Organization, measles is an extremely contagious and grave illness that is brought on by a virus.
Doctors claim that symptoms of measles don’t show up for 10 to 14 days following contact. These include of a fever, sore throat, runny nose, irritated eyes, cough, and a red, splotchy rash on the skin.
The medical director, Dr. Bol Chaw Manyang, reports that one child has passed away out of the six instances.
The infant in question was ten months old.
“Currently we have isolated the patients because this disease is so dangerous to the children. As of now, they are responding positively to the treatment. My advice to caregivers, especially pregnant mothers, is that it is good that they can always deliver in the hospital so that their babies are vaccinated and protected from all diseases like measles,’’ said Dr. Bol Chaw.
According to Dr. Bol, plans are on for the state Ministry of Health and the National Ministry of Health to launch a measles vaccine campaign this year.
A measles outbreak has been reported in other parts of the country, including Warrap and Lakes states.
Measles kills approximately 350 people a day, mostly children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
