Measles spreading in West Darfur, fever in eastern Sudan

The spread of measles in West Darfur has prompted the state Ministry of Health to develop a plan to combat the disease. In Red Sea state, two people died of an unknown fever during the weekend.

On Saturday, the director of the Vaccination Department of the West Darfur Ministry of Health, Abdallah Omar told reporters in El Geneina that the number of confirmed measles cases amount to ten cases – out of 90-suspected cases.

He said that the localities of El Geneina, Kereinik, and Foro Baranga recently witnessed a significant increase in measles cases, and appealed to all people in West Darfur to have their children under two years vaccinated, be careful concerning contact with infected people, and immediately report suspected cases to the nearest health centre.

Eastern Sudan

Two people died and 120 others became ill with an unknown fever in Suakin in Red Sea state during the weekend.

“Since Friday, the hospital of Suakin received 100 patients suffering from high fever,” journalist Osman Hashim told Radio Dabanga. “On Sunday, an elderly woman and a child died.”

According to the Red Sea Health Ministry the fever is caused by “a certain type of mosquitoes”.

Earlier this month, three patients suffering from an “unidentified fever” died in Port Sudan, capital of Red Sea state.

“The disease causes dizziness, headaches, and joint pain, with symptoms similar to those of haemorrhagic fever,” journalist Osman Hashim told this station at the time.