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Following one of the worst measles outbreaks in Sudan’s recent history, the Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF, the Measles and Rubella Initiative (M&RI) and national partners, is launching a massive campaign to immunize 7.9 million children aged six months to 15 years against this life-threatening disease. 

Since the start of the outbreak at the end of 2014, there have been 1,730 confirmed cases, 3,175 suspected cases and 22 fatalities.  West Darfur remains the worst affected state, with 441 confirmed cases and five deaths.  Kassala has had 365 confirmed cases and five deaths, while in Red Sea state there have been 263 cases and four deaths.   

“Measles is a life threatening disease but one that can easily be prevented with timely immunization,” said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Representative in Sudan. “Every girl and boy must be reached no matter where they live. There are no excuses and no child can be left out.

”The campaign, which launches today will initially target 28 affected localities in six of the highest risk states, before expanding to other areas identified as being at risk of an outbreak. In total it will target 96 localities in 16 affected and “at risk” states. 

The immunization campaign will be a complex operation, however, as ongoing conflict in some areas of Sudan could restrict humanitarian access. There are children in conflict zones in the Kordofans, Blue Nile and Darfur who have not received routine immunization since 2011. UNICEF has called on all parties to the fighting to facilitate humanitarian access so that these children can be reached.

Children are most at risk of the disease – children who are malnourished are even more vulnerable.  In Sudan, some 36 per cent of children are stunted and the country has one of the highest levels of malnutrition in Africa. Of the total number of reported measles cases in Sudan, 69 per cent are below 15 years of age, including 52 per cent under the age of five. For malnourished children measles can cause serious complications, including blindness, ear infections, pneumonia and severe diarrhoea. The upcoming campaign is expected to cost approximately US $13.9 million – funds that are needed to procure 9.6 million doses of vaccine, logistics, measles case management and activating social networks in communities to ensure local buy-in. UNICEF is appealing to all donors to make funding available to fight the outbreak, which is having a detrimental effect on the lives of children across Sudan and threatens neighboring countries.  UNICEF is coordinating with surrounding countries to stop this outbreak from crossing borders.

The measles virus is spread by respiratory transmission and is highly contagious. Up to 90 per cent of people without immunity who are sharing a house with an infected person will catch it.        

Notes for editors:

For further information please contact the Unicef UK Press Office +44 (0)20 7375 6030 // media@unicef.org.uk /@UnicefUK_media

About World Immunization Week
World Immunization Week 2015 (24-30 April) signals a renewed global, regional, and national effort by governments, partners and donors to accelerate awareness and demand for immunization by communities, and improve vaccination delivery services using as a framework the Global Vaccine Action Plan. Each year, immunization averts an estimated 2-3 million deaths from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and measles.  Polio, a crippling and deadly disease is on the verge of eradication. Despite the enormous effectiveness of immunization, nearly one-fifth of the world’s infants still miss out on basic vaccines. Nearly three-quarters of the children who have not received three doses of DTP-containing (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine during 2013 live in 15 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Syria, Uganda and Viet Nam. This year’s campaign focuses on closing the immunization gap and reaching all children with vaccines. 

About Unicef
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. 

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children.  As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk