An area of South Sudan, already challenged by conflict, experienced heavy flooding at the end of September. The conflict led to loss of life and displaced the survivors earlier this year. Doctors Without Borders opened a clinic in August to respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict. But flooding at the end of September threatened the town and the clinic. Flooding at the same time last year disrupted distribution of routine vaccinations. Now, with poor living conditions and limited access to medical care, measles cases have begun to break out. At this time, Doctors Without Borders has treated 79 patients with measles. Of those patients, 71% are under one year old. Two children have died, and 30 are in critical condition. Doctors Without Borders is urging a vaccination campaign to get control of the outbreak. The outbreak is intensified by cofactors such as severe malaria, pneumonia, and severe malnutrition.
This outbreak emphasizes the toll that infectious disease can take in areas destabilized by conflict or natural disasters. It also displays the importance of a long term mindset in crisis response. This outbreak is a consequence of the disruption of a vaccine campaign last fall. Now, Doctors Without Borders is calling on health organizations to respond to the current outbreak with a vaccine campaign. Hopefully, the response to this call will address long term problems that can be prevented now.
-Olivia
https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/measles-outbreak-south-sudan-2733380
https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/news-stories/news/south-sudan-flooding-deepens-humanitarian-crisis-pibor-area
No comments:
Post a Comment