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Pemba Island hit by measles
2006-12-25 10:49:30
By Suleiman Rashidi Omar, PST, Pemba
A measles outbreak has erupted in Pemba Island. Some 50 children aged less than five years have been admitted to Micheweni Government Hospital.
Dr Rashid Daud Mkasha, who is the medical officer in-charge, said the impact of the disease was first felt on Monday. He said the situation worsened on Friday, then eased after bed-riding 31 male under-fives and 19 females.
He warned that the situation might still worsen if parents did not heed medical advice, especially by not keeping sick children at home. ’’They should take them to hospital,’’ he said.
’’As the condition deteriorated, we hurriedly decided to declare quarantine,’’ added Dr. Mkasha.
He said the situation was now under control. All medical staff who are on leave have been recalled and medical supplies at the measles camp are sufficient, he said.
Dr. Mkasha said the outbreak should not be seen as a surprise because it had resulted from non-inoculation of children against the disease.
According to PST findings, dismal knowledge about the disease, poor clinic attendance, uncontrolled influx of visitors into the island, dependency on traditional treatment and non-observance of medical advice are the chief contributing factors to the fast spread of the disease.
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