By Manas James
A measles vaccination campaign is underway in parts of Ayod County in Jonglei State.
Launching of the campaign that targets 42,997 children, comes barely a fortnight after the highly contagious viral disease was declared as an outbreak.
The county health director, Maker Mathot Nyuon said the 5-day vaccination drive started Wednesday and will roll across the county to contain the outbreak.
“Medair is carrying out a reactive mass vaccination campaign in Ayod County. They started in Ayod town, Kwachdeng, and Pajiek where the cases were very high,” he said.
Measles death cases in Jonglei state remained at 50 with 97 patients.
The county health director urged parents to have their children vaccinated, saying the vaccine is safe.
Meanwhile, Ayod County commissioner, James Chuol Jiek said the ongoing drive is significant to contain the outbreak.
“We are thankful to our partners for intervening. Our children are being vaccinated in every Payam. There are no more new cases and there are deaths,” he said.
The county commissioner said the vaccination drive was a relief as no more children will lose their lives to the viral disease.
In 26 July, measles outbreak was declared in Ayod County.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease, marked by fever, cough, and red spots on the skin and is spread by coughing and contact with fluids from the mouth and nose of the infected.
Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), measles remains a major cause of death among children, globally.