Measles Epidemic Spreads in Darfur Region of Sudan Due to Conflict and Neglect

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Measles Outbreak Claims 70 Lives in East Darfur’s Labado

A measles outbreak has struck several districts in Labado, East Darfur state, Sudan, resulting in approximately 70 deaths and over 1,000 reported cases. The outbreak began in March and has affected 12 residential neighborhoods, with a population of around 12,000 people.

According to Mohamed Abdel Aziz, coordinator of the Labado crisis unit, a community-run group, the outbreak was first discovered during home visits conducted as part of a training workshop for women on fire-prevention. The teams found that almost half of the homes visited had measles cases, leading to an estimated 1,000 total infections.

Hawa Adam, whose two-year-old son Ali died from measles in February, attributed his death to the lack of basic medical care and vaccination. “Most doctors left the area after the war broke out,” she said. “Those with means sought treatment abroad.”

The health director of East Darfur, Dr Jabir al-Nadeef, confirmed that measles has struck four districts of the state but reported 300 cases and 26 deaths, which diverge from the numbers documented by the Labado emergency room.

Vaccines arrived in Sudan on April 11 via UNICEF, and a vaccination campaign is scheduled to run from April 18 to 24 across the state. The World Health Organization notes that measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, spread through contact with infected nasal or throat secretions or breathing in air breathed out by someone with measles.

The outbreak has unfolded against the backdrop of a near-total collapse of public health infrastructure across Darfur, where war has gutted facilities, halted routine vaccination, and driven out medical personnel. Patients who reach a health facility are isolated until recovery, but families are responsible for purchasing any medicines needed to treat complications.

According to Ismail Issa, whose two-year-old daughter Makarem died from measles in March, the outbreak was exacerbated by a supply failure at the government health center on February 23. Medicines remain available at private pharmacies, but most residents cannot afford them.

Source: Al Jazeera