Ministry declares rubella outbreak, 11 affected

As the country is grappling with pink eye disease and cholera, the Ministry of Health has announced a rubella outbreak in Neno which has affected 11 people.

A statement issued on Friday and signed by Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo states that the outbreak was first detected on March 12 in a six-month old baby at Manyenje Village in the district.

He said: “The district is conducting extensive public awareness campaigns to educate communities about rubella and measles, its symptoms, and the importance of vaccination; enhancing surveillance and monitoring of measles/rubella cases to track the outbreak’s progress and identify potential hotspots.”

Meanwhile, the Neno District Health Office has activated its Incident Management Team to conduct a Measles-Rubella Supplementary vaccination campaign to reach all children in the affected areas, among other response activities.

Rubella, also known as German measles, presents with signs and symptoms similar to measles such as spotty rash that starts on the face or behind the ears and spreads to the neck and body.

It is a contagious disease but it is self-limiting (heals on its own) in about a week but it can be serious if one gets it when pregnant because it can lead to children being born with congenital rubella syndrome.

The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when infected individuals cough or sneeze, or through direct contact with virus-infected fluid.

Prevention is through basic hygiene practices like handwashing with soap, covering one’s mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing, and, most importantly, vaccination.

Rubella, pink eye and cholera, which have affected some parts of the the country are hygiene-related diseases.

Health rights activist Maziko Matemba earlier cautioned authorities on the need to raise awareness and strengthen its healthcare to deal with the health crisis emanating from pandemics and outbreaks.