Measles in Kenya

26 Sep 2012

An outbreak of measles has been reported from West Pokot District in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya.

More than 500 cases have been identified and 3 children have died as a result of measles. Health officials say that measles is spreading rapidly in remote villages bordering Pokot-Turkana counties and Kenya-Uganda border. The worst affected areas are: Alale, Kanyerus, Kasei, Konyao and Ombolion along the Pokot-Turkana border.

A vaccination campaign has been hampered by a lack of resources to reach the isolated villages due to the difficult terrain and lack of roads. Vaccine coverage in West Pokot is around 60%.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of MMR at 12-15 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 6 months, while unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves may consider vaccination if thought to be at risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine are required to give adequate protection.