Maputo, 22 Jun (AIM) – The Mozambican health authorities recorded, between January and May, 155 measles cases in the Northern Province of Nampula.
According to António Carlos, spokesperson at Nampula Central Hospital (HCN), speaking to reporters on Friday, the disease has caused the death of one person “worsening the concern over the current rate of around two cases per day in the northern region.”
“Nampula recorded 33 hospitalizations over the five-month period due to measles. We should not think that two cases are few. It is a lot, given that this is a disease with a very high transmission potential”, he said.
He explained that records an average of two measles cases per day, “which is worrying as a result of a disease’s high transmissibility.”
According to Carlos, the cases of the disease are related to low participation of some parents and guardians in child vaccination programmes.
“If our guardians develop the habit of following the monthly vaccination schedule and monitoring children, this will prevent many situations. In addition to measles prevention, regular follow-up of children in health facilities allows monitoring of their growth, psychomotor development and nutritional status”, he explained.
In order to reduce the cases, the authorities are working in order to boost national vaccination programmes.
The most affected province the central province of Sofala, with a cumulative 238 cases, Nampula (195), Niassa (115) and Zambezia (102), with new cases continuing to be reported weekly.
Am/
