Measles outbreak in Zimbabwe: An urgent rising concern

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery 2022-10, Vol.82, p.104613
• Main Authors: Berjaoui, Christin, Tabassum, Shehroze, Sabuncu, Özge, Al Tarawneh, Yusuf Jaafer, Naeem, Aroma, El Khoury, Carlo, Bacha, Israel Tadesse, Wellington, Jack, Uwishema, Olivier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa; Measles; Outbreak; Vaccination; Zimbabwe
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104613

Measles, one of the most common infections in the world, accounts for more than over 100.000 deaths every year. Measles outbreaks are still ravaging the African continent, and the 2010 Measles outbreak in Zimbabwe is one to be noted, where more than 7754 infections and 517 deaths were reported, ultimately leading to the UN initiation of the vaccination program. COVID-19 could have been delaying the vaccination process in Africa. This article aims to shed the light on the current Measles outbreak in Zimbabwe and how global health organizations are taking measures to fight off this outbreak. Data was collected from online databases PubMed, Science Direct, and the Lancet, as well as news and conferences and press releases on the current measles outbreak. All articles and news related to the measles outbreak in Zimbabwe were taken into consideration. A measles outbreak was reported earlier in August of 2022, with more than 2000 confirmed cases out of which 157 were reported dead. Since the outbreak this year, cases of measles in Zimbabwe have been rapidly growing. The government in Zimbabwe started a massive vaccination campaign for children in and near the areas where the outbreak is present. Traditional and faith leaders are involved in the campaigns to encourage the public to volunteer to be vaccinated. Efforts to control the measles outbreak in Zimbabwe are being mitigated by the government as well as the WHO and other global health organizations. With many people refusing the vaccination, this outbreak might not see an end, and more cases, as well as deaths, will increase by the end of the year.