Ethiopia’s Public Health Emergency Management department has recorded more than 700 cases of measles since an outbreak was declared on 24 January 2020.
However, the actual caseload in the community remains undetermined due to inaccessibility of some among the affected areas.
The outbreak was declared in the East Wollega Zonal Health Bureau, in the country’s southern district of Nunu Kumba, with the first case dating back to early December 2019.
IOM is supporting the government with social mobilization and has reached out to more than 15,000 individuals in Adare and Brinkas Kebeles (districts) with health awareness messaging, including breaking measles-related taboos.
The outbreak has claimed five lives in East Wollega, but thanks to intensified surveillance and case management, no further measles-related deaths were recorded after 27 January.
Karrupiah Vedharaniyam, head of Sub-office at IOM Nekemte, says: “IOM, with its shelter team, plans to support the delivery of non-food items, the construction of a temporary kitchen and to rehabilitate the current isolation room in Adare health centre, which will enhance capacity to manage incoming caseload. We will continue to assess the conditions to extend further support.”
In addition, IOM’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) team is looking to rehabilitate institutional latrines and to add handwashing facilities and water points.
IOM’s response to the measles outbreak in Ethiopia was made possible through the support of the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund and the Ethiopian Humanitarian Funds.
Original source: IOM
Published on 21 February 2020
