MAPUTO, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Monday announced the reinforcement of surveillance measures in all health units across the country in response to a measles outbreak.
During the inauguration of a water supply system in Pemba, Cabo Delgado, Nyusi addressed the ongoing public health crisis, highlighting the severity of the measles outbreak and the potential emergence of mpox.
The measles outbreak, which began on July 9, has predominantly affected Cabo Delgado with 170 cases reported there and eight in Niassa, leading to a total of 18 deaths, 17 of which occurred in Cabo Delgado.
"All deaths were recorded outside health units, which highlights the need to reinforce awareness about the importance of vaccination and early care," said the president.
To combat the spread of measles, the Mozambican government, through the Ministry of Health, is implementing several measures, including training technical staff on case management and reinforcing routine vaccinations.
"Measles is a disease that can be prevented through vaccination. If you want to help our children, vaccinate them," Nyusi urged during his speech, which was broadcast on state radio and television. "A blocking vaccination has already been carried out in the district of Chiure, and a vaccination campaign for children under 15 years old is planned for September."
In addition to the measles outbreak, Mozambique faces the threat of mpox, which has already been reported in South Africa and has affected the continent since November 2022. Earlier, the World Health Organization declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, a designation echoed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
In response to this threat, Nyusi stated that the Ministry of Health is updating its readiness and response plan, strengthening laboratory capacity for testing suspected cases, and revising therapeutic protocols.
Nyusi concluded by calling on the population to remain vigilant and committed to public health, emphasizing that "this may be another challenge in the field of public health, but together we can overcome it." ■
