Adapted approach to measles in Somalia

As the conflict in Mogadishu reaches new heights, MSF still manages to curb the worst effects of an ongoing measles outbreak in neighbouring regions.

The people in Guri El know that as soon as a child comes down with a high fever, red eyes and tiny spots on the inside of the mouth, they need to isolate it from other children.

In a country where years of conflict have all but destroyed the health care system, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has taught these people to take their health into their own hands when it comes to one of the major childhood killers: measles.

Since April 11 an outbreak of this highly contagious disease has been sweeping through the town of Guri El and its surroundings in the Galgaduud region of South and Central Somalia.

So far MSF has treated 403 patients for measles-related complications in the area.

Normally measles affects small children the worst, but in this case 60 per cent of patients are older than five years – some are even adults.

“The children under five have benefited from the systematic vaccination activities which MSF has carried out in the hospital over the past three years – but irregular vaccination in the area previously might explain the high proportion of older children and adults affected”, said Said Ibrahim HASSAN, MSF’s field coordinator for the Galgaduud project.

Treatment of complications

There is no cure for measles, but it is possible to treat or prevent potentially fatal or debilitating complications. This is particularly important in places with little access to health care and widespread malnutrition, like Somalia.

The MSF-run Istarlin hospital has opened an extra ten beds in a separate building and dedicated a number of staff for exclusive care of patients with severe measles complications. Less critical patients are cared for in an isolated part of the outpatient department.

Alternative approach

Many people in Galgaduud are nomads living scattered over a vast area and frequently on the move in search of water and fodder for their goats and camels. Along with the ongoing conflict this makes it unrealistic to launch a major vaccination campaign in the area.

Instead the MSF team has chosen an alternative: as well as treating patients with measles who are brought to the hospital, one mobile team is visiting villages and settlements daily, up to 50 km from Guri El, to look for and treat infected people and inform clan elders, religious leaders, teachers and authorities to bring sick children to the hospital for care.

The mobile team adapts their itinerary according to where people move and  where security permits. So far the results are good: more than 40 per cent of all measles cases treated have been treated in the patient’s home town. Only one child is reported to have died because of measles in the area.

 “The information that we have suggests a mortality lower than you would expect. We believe that actively looking for cases, visiting the villages to treat patients and involving the communities have helped a lot,” explained Said Ibrahim Hassan.

More measles

Neighbouring regions are also feeling the affects of the epidemic.

In the last two weeks of April MSF teams vaccinated more than 16,000 children between six months and 15 years old in Belet Weyne in the Hiraan region just south of Galgaduud, and in Galkayo in Mudug region teams have treated more than 230 patients from mid-April to mid-June.

Security conditions dictate how and where MSF can work and explain the different approaches to managing the measles outbreak.

Currently MSF is looking at possibilities to launch a major vaccination campaign in the camps along the road between Afgooye and Mogadishu, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge due to the recent escalation of violence in Mogadishu.

Fact on MSF work in Somalia

MSF delivers health care in eight regions in South and Central Somalia based on medical need and regardless of clan or political affiliation.

In 2008 MSF teams provided nearly 730,000 outpatient consultations, including more than a quarter of a million for children under five. 24,000 people were admitted as inpatients to MSF-supported hospitals and health clinics, and close to 4,000 surgeries were performed, 1,249 of which were for injuries caused by violence. Nearly 35,000 people suffering from malnutrition were provided with food and medical care.

For its work in Somalia, MSF does not accept funding from any government or donor agency, and relies solely on donations from the general public.

Facts on Measles

Measles is a leading cause of death among young children.
In 2007, there were an estimated 197,000 measles deaths globally – that’s nearly 540 deaths every day or 22 deaths every hour.
Measles can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia.
More than 95 per cent of measles deaths occur in low-income countries with weak health infrastructure.
One dose of measles vaccine before a child’s first birthday can protect a child against the disease. 
Source: WHO