Measles Outbreak

The ministry of health has confirmed a measles outbreak in the country where so far 70 cases have been reported in North Eastern and Rift Valley Provinces.

This has prompted an immediate response and a massive countrywide immunization campaign launched beginning this weekend.

The week long exercise will target over 6.7 million children aged below 5 years in the country.

The last nationwide measles campaign was conducted in 2006 after an outbreak that led to the death of over 120 children.

Since then, 1.3 million children under the age of five have not been vaccinated against measles for a number of reasons.

70 of the measles cases detected in the country are from the Hagdera refugee camp in Fafi district while 40 other cases have been reported at the Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana district.

Vitamin A

Mobile vaccination teams will visit nursery schools, kindergartens, children homes and places of worship to ensure all children aged between 9 months and 5 years are vaccinated.

Children who have been vaccinated before are not being left out and also need to be re-vaccinated .

In addition children will also receive vitamin A supplements to boost their immune systems.

Children in all Turkana districts will also be vaccinated against polio during the measles campaign.

The exercise sponsored by the government in conjunction with other development partners will cost over 135 million shillings.

The UNHCR attributes the outbreak to illegal migration through the porous border between Kenya and neighbouring countries where 5000 refugees gain access monthly especially since the closure of the Kenya-Somali border.

They now want the border opened to allow screening of refugees before they are allowed in.

Meanwhile Kiambu District Public Health Officer, Dr. Romano Kinyua has said the measles immunization exercise for children in the district will take place between September 19 and 25 .

Dr Kinyua said the exercise would take place at the Kiambu District hospital, health centers and other specified places like nursery schools