Measles kills dozens in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

MAJOK-YITHIOU – A Measles outbreak has killed dozens of children in Majok-Yith thiou town council of South Sudans Northern Bahr El Gazal State, an official disclosed.

The outbreak of the disease comes amid reports that thousands of returnees returned to the area from Sudan, while many have reportedly died from hunger.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Tuesday, the deputy town mayor, Angony Ateny refuted claims that many of the returnees had died due to hunger.

“Nobody has died of hunger as many rumours spread. What is happening is the issue of measles which is more concerning. A lot children are suffering from measles outbreak and is worrisome. Health officers in the area have come and reported to us that a lot of patients in hospital are infected with measles,” he said.

Last week, Ateny said three children died from measles with many others infected.

He appealed to partners to provide medical assistance for the killer disease.

Abuk Aleu, a health official, said improvement in sanitation will control measles.

“What worries us is the sanitation in Majok. A lot of returnees are here and the sanitation is not good. So we need to ask for latrines to be dug, but there are no covers to put on the pit latrines. So it is worsening the situation as well,” she said.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death.