Medics raise the alarm after measles outbreak
A South Sudanese policeman walks in the outskirts of Mvolo, 75 miles from Rumbek in the Western Equatoria State, on January 14, 2014. Doctors have been dispatched to the border with South Sudan after some refugees fleeing from the war-torn country showed signs of measles. PHOTO| FILE
Doctors have been dispatched to the border with South Sudan after some refugees fleeing from the war-torn country showed signs of measles.
The doctors have taken blood samples from 15 people for further analysis and likely vaccination against the disease.
“Some of those seeking asylum have symptoms indicating that they could be suffering from measles,” said team leader Nelson Lolos.
Screening and isolation
Dr Lolos, who is the Turkana West sub-county medical boss, said the patients had been isolated and were being treated at Lokichoggio hospital.
The medics are screening the refugees at Nadapal border point.
“The refugees are screened at the border point for contagious diseases including ebola before being allowed into the Kakuma camp,” said Dr Lolos in a telephone interview.
He said some of them especially children and the elderly had contracted malaria and pneumonia.
“We are sensitising those at the camp on how to observe proper hygiene,” added Dr Lolos.
About 500 people are fleeing from South Sudan daily to Kakuma refugee camp due to the fight between government troops and rebels.
Influx of refugees
“We are receiving between 450 and 600 people daily most of them women and children who are either sick or malnourished,” said Turkana West sub-county police boss Jonathan Ngala.
He said stringent security measures had been put in place at Kakuma to stop the influx of weapons.
According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) external relations officer Nicolas Brass, about 10,000 people have fled South Sudan.
