Cameroon measles outbreak: Vaccination teams attacked

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not the only African country battling a measles outbreak. Others are dealing with this contagious vaccine preventable disease–the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Liberia…you get the point, a lot of countries on the continent.

Cameroon is among the countries with a measles outbreak. According to the World Health Organization, Since the beginning of 2019, a total of 1,170 suspected cases have been reported, including 14 deaths in 43 districts.

In response, Cameroon organized the national vaccination campaign last week to contain the current measles outbreak.

How contagious is measles? Answer: Very

Voice of America reported Tuesday that members of measles vaccination teams in southern Cameroon have been attacked and beaten by locals who say the serums triggered side effects that sent 12 children to local hospitals.

Many rural Cameroonians distrust vaccination campaigns. They say traditional healers carry out traditional treatments that protect children.