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TheKenya Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation has reported thatthe measles outbreak that has affected nearly every county in the country,has sickened 767 people so far in 2012, including 32 fatalities in children.
In a CapitalFM news report, Public Health and Sanitation DirectorShahnaaz Sharif said the deadly epidemic started in refugee camps in northeastern Kenya before spreading to the rest of the country.
The refugeesfrom Somalia are not typically vaccinated against the respiratory virus, notesSharif.
Cases of the“vaccine-preventable disease” has been reported in 45 outof the 47 Counties in Kenya. Only Lamu and Marsabit Counties have been said tobe free of the outbreak.
Sharif goeson to say, 441 measles cases have been detected in Narok County afternumerous children were diagnosed following the pronouncement of the outbreak.
Dr Sharifsaid 281 cases have also been recorded in Kitui and 225 in Garissa Counties. Hefurther revealed that 194 cases detected in Mandera and 128 in Nairobifollowing the diagnosing of the children in these Counties.
In responseto the outbreak, the government is set to launch a countrywide measlesimmunization campaign targeting over 6 million children.
Measlesor rubeola, is an acute highly communicable viral disease thatis characterized by Koplik spots in the cheek or tongue very early in the disease.A couple of days later a red blotchy rash appears first on the face, and thenspreads, lasting 4-7 days. Other symptoms includefever, cough and red watery eyes. The patient may becontagious from four days prior to the rash appearance to four daysafter rash appearance.
The disease ismore severe in infants and adults. Complications from measles whichis reported in up to 20% of people infected include;seizures, pneumonia, deafness and encephalitis.
Prevention ofmeasles is through vaccination.
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