By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, November 29, Mana: Rumphi District Health Office (DHO) has launched a vaccination campaign in response to a measles outbreak at Mhuju in Senior Chief Mwahenga in the district.

Chief Preventive Health Officer at the DHO, Sam Chirwa says the campaign is targeting 1,600 children from nine months to 15 years of age.

Among other severe complications of measles, include blindness, severe diarrhea and ear infections.

The office is also advising people in the affected areas to isolate children who present measles symptoms such as whole body rash, cough and high fever among others.

The office has also intensified awareness campaigns targeting learners and teachers in order for them to easily identify and isolate suspected cases.

The measles cases are suspected to have been imported from the East Bank area in the Southern Region.  The first four cases were confirmed on November 14 and the number has since jumped to 62 in two weeks.