(Last Updated on August 16, 2022 by ZIMDAILY EDITOR)
MANICALAND – Health experts have raised concern over the outbreak of the deadly measles, which has already claimed 80 lives countrywide, saying this could continue to spread if anti-immunisation religious sects are not engaged over the disease.
Health and Child Care secretary Jasper Chimedza said the outbreak was reported on April 10 in Mutasa district, Manicaland province, and had spread nationwide, possibly because of church gatherings. Manicaland has the highest number of 356 cases and 45 deaths.
Measles is highly contagious and can affect the respiratory tract. It is spread through sneezing, coughing and touching secretions.
The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, and major epidemics occur approximately every two to three years, with an estimated 2,6 million deaths each year globally.