South Sudan's health authorities are addressing an ongoing measles epidemic that has resulted in 4339 suspected cases, 388 (8.9%) laboratory-confirmed cases, and 46 deaths (case fatality ratio: 1.06%) across the nation between January 2022 and February 1, 2023.
On 23 February and 10 December 2022, respectively, the health authorities declared two measles outbreaks. A total of 770,581 kids received vaccinations during reactive vaccination campaigns between March and November 2022.
Beginning in March 2023, a comprehensive measles vaccination program will be launched. Due to the low national level of measles vaccine coverage, which is below the anticipated 95% coverage to stop the continued transmission, the present outbreak may have major adverse effects on public health.
Other determinants include the most vulnerable age group, which is children under five, as well as the country setting, which favors transmission due to violent conflicts, food insecurity, and internally displaced individuals.
Description of the situation
Since the beginning of 2022, South Sudanese health authorities have been addressing a measles outbreak. A total of 4339 suspected cases, 388 laboratory-confirmed cases (8.9%), and 46 deaths (CFR: 1.06%; AR: 1.1/1000 population).
Have been recorded from 55 counties in all 10 states and the three administrative regions between January 1 and February 1, 2023. 3187 (73.5%) of the 4339 suspected patients are unvaccinated. 1021 (32%) of the unvaccinated are infants under the age of one, while 2398 (75%) are children under the age of five.
The counties with the largest cumulative death toll were Juba county in Central Equatoria state (18 fatalities, CFR 1.9%) and Cueibet county in Lakes state (8 deaths, CFR 5.1%); the remaining counties had a death toll of fewer than five.
In two areas, Maban in Upper Nile State and Torit in Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan began to report instances of measles in January 2022. On December 10th, 2022, South Sudan's health authorities declared.
A measles outbreak is due to a continuous rise in cases throughout the nation. After the initial declaration on February 23, 2022, this was the second measles epidemic declaration made in the nation.
Epidemiology of measles
In endemic places, the measles virus causes a highly contagious illness known as seasonal measles. In temperate regions, measles incidence peaks in late winter and early spring, whereas the majority of cases in tropical regions happen during the dry season.
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, airborne respiratory droplets spread quickly from one person to another. Transmission can also happen when two people come into direct touch with contaminated secretions.
No evidence of transmission from exposed, asymptomatic immune individuals has been found. For up to two hours, the virus can be spread through the air or on contaminated surfaces. Four days prior to the development of the rash and four days after it appears, the patient is contagious.
Before spreading to other organs, the virus attacks the respiratory system first. The majority of patients recover from measles within two to three weeks and there is no specific antiviral treatment.
Measles can also result in significant side effects such as blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, ear infection, and pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV, cancer, and those on immunosuppressive medications, as well as pregnant women.
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