Two young measles patients at Kismayo General Hospital in Kismayo, Somalia. The hospital’s cholera treatment centre, has been turned into a measles ward for children suffering from the highly contagious disease.
A recent outbreak of measles in Kismayo, Somalia has put additional strain on an already overwhelmed hospital. Learn how UNICEF is helping to fight the outbreak by getting children immunized.
KISMAYO, Somalia, 12 December 2016 – The cholera treatment centre at Kismayo General Hospital, the biggest hospital in Kismayo, hadn’t had any patients since the last outbreak was brought under control. But lately it has again been inundated with patients.
This time, the outbreak is measles – a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to pneumonia, diarrhoea, encephalitis which causes brain swelling, and blindness. Since September, 419 measles cases have been officially recorded, 302 of which are children under five. In Somalia, measles is a major cause of death among children – but it can be effectively prevented with a simple vaccine.
Lying on mattresses on the floor are dozens of children. Most of them are sleeping with their bodies curled up – oblivious of the heat and flies. Some have visibly swollen eyes, leaking pus from their eyes and nose. If awake, they look dazed and listless.
Among them are Maryan, 8 months, and her brother Maseuud, 1 year and 8 months. Maryan breathes rapidly and has contracted pneumonia, a severe complication caused by measles, while Maseuud has a rash all over his body. The children are accompanied by their mother, Maano.