By Brenda Kayira
Zomba District has recorded 65 measles cases and five deaths since an outbreak was detected in August this year, prompting health authorities to intensify surveillance and community awareness campaigns to contain its spread.
Chief Preventive Health Officer for Zomba District Health Office, Penjani Chunda, disclosed this on Thursday during a Public Health Emergency Management Committee (PHEMIC) meeting at the district health office.
Chunda said cases had been reported in Matawale, Chamba, Naisi, Sadzi, Pirimiti, Zomba Central Hospital and Zomba City Clinic catchment areas, with laboratory tests confirming the outbreak.
Of the 65 cases, 35 are females and 30 are males. Children aged between five and 14 account for 53.8 percent of the cases, while those aged between one and four make up 40 percent, making children the most affected groups.
Chunda said 32 patients are currently admitted to health facilities, with 25 at Pirimiti and seven at Zomba Central Hospital.
He attributed the outbreak to several factors, including mass gatherings, community exposure and low vaccination uptake among some religious groups whose beliefs discourage seeking medical care for children.
Chunda cited investigations at Pirimiti, where 29 suspected cases were identified among members of the Seventh Day Apostolic Church across five villages, namely Ntokota, Jali, Namulika, Jali 2 and George Village.
“The investigation linked low vaccination uptake, influenced by religious beliefs, to the spread of the disease,” said Chunda.
He said the DHO had intensified daily surveillance, specimen collection, case investigation, case management and community engagement through meetings with traditional and religious leaders.
He also commended PACT for supporting investigations, specimen collection, transportation, surveillance and field interventions.
However, Chunda identified inadequate vitamin A supplies, limited knowledge of measles management among some health workers, low vaccination uptake and delayed healthcare-seeking behaviour as major challenges.
“We are currently putting forward strategies like community mobilisation, resource mobilisation, active case searches and collaboration with teachers, parents, child protection officers and legal services to ensure children whose parents refuse medical attention can access healthcare,” he said.
Chunda further urged health workers to strengthen vitamin A supplementation, routine immunisation and mop-up vaccination exercises in communities with low vaccination coverage.
