Measles epidemic in Bubanza

Over 680 measles cases have been recorded in Bubanza province in northwest Burundi since January, and the epidemic is spreading at a worrying rate, Action contre la faim (ACF) said on Wednesday. In a statement, it said about 10 cases had been reported in ACF's nutrition centres in Bubanza and Mpanda so far in April, and the outbreak had also affected other provinces including Muramvya, Bururi and Bujumbura Rural. Existing vaccine stocks in the country were insufficient to cope with the scale of the outbreak, the statement said. In response to the situation, ACF in collaboration with provincial health authorities was organising a vaccination campaign in Bubanza targeting 100,000 children between 6 months and 15 years of age, it added.