| Measles outbreak hits Malawi major cities |
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| Written by Administrator | |||
| Wednesday, 17 March 2010 07:20 | |||
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March 17, 2010 (Ethjo) - Over 100 hundred measles cases have been reported in Malawi's major cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe, sparking fears of an outbreak.
But health authorities have dismissed the outbreak fears, calling it "a normal occurance among unimmunised children".
Secretary for Health Chris Kang'ombe told PANA Monday that 74 cases of measles were reported in high-density townships of the commercial capital, Blantyre, by Friday.
He also said some cases had been reported in high-density townships of the administrative capital, Lilongwe.
"We cannot call this an outbreak because those children attacked are those that were not immunised against measles soon after birth," he said.
Measles is a respiratory infection caused by a virus. It can be highly-contagious if treatment is delayed.
It induces flu-like symptoms such us running nose, coughing and fever. It also causes skin-rashes.
Kang'ombe said the Ministry of Health had since intensified public awareness on the importance of having babies vaccinated against various diseases. (BBC)
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