Eleven children die from measles in Uganda: Causes of the outbreak in Nabak
In a new health tragedy striking remote areas of Africa, health authorities in Uganda have announced the deaths of at least 11 children from measles in the semi-arid Nabaq district in the northeast of the country. This announcement comes two weeks after the official confirmation of the outbreak, raising serious concerns about the health of children in these pastoral communities.
Details of the epidemiological situation in Nabak
The Ugandan Ministry of Health issued an official statement confirming the severity of the measles outbreak. Medical teams have recorded 74 confirmed cases and 11 deaths, all concentrated in a sub-district inhabited by pastoral communities. The ministry explained that the outbreak was first detected on November 19th, following the admission of a suspected measles case to the pediatric ward of Matani Hospital on November 15th, which prompted the raising of the health alert level.
Causes of disease outbreak and risk factors
Health reports attributed this rapid and deadly outbreak to a combination of factors, foremost among them the low coverage of measles vaccination programs in the most affected areas. Low immunization rates are the primary vulnerability that allows the virus to spread among young people.
In addition to acquired immunodeficiency, the ministry pointed to environmental and social factors that exacerbated the crisis, most notably poor housing and overcrowding in cramped spaces, which facilitates the airborne transmission of the virus. High rates of malnutrition among children under five also play a crucial role in increasing mortality rates, as malnutrition weakens the immune system, leaving the body unable to fight off the complications of the disease.
The context of the disease and the challenges of the region
Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases affecting humans, and it spreads easily through droplets from the nose or mouth. Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine for decades, the disease remains a leading cause of death among young children worldwide, particularly in areas with weak health systems.
The Nabak region of Karamoja province faces particular challenges. It is a semi-arid area characterized by harsh geography and a pastoral lifestyle that requires constant movement in search of water and pasture. This way of life makes it difficult for routine immunization campaigns to reach all children, creating pockets of unvaccinated populations vulnerable to disease outbreaks. International organizations consistently emphasize the need to intensify efforts in such areas to ensure access to vaccines and improve living conditions to prevent the recurrence of these humanitarian tragedies.
