Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 13: 21 – 27 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 27 March 2022
...
Measles Guinea
10 811 cases
16 Deaths
0.14% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Guinea has been experiencing an outbreak of measles since the
beginning of the year. As of 13 March 2022, a total of 10 811
suspected measles cases and 16 deaths (CFR 0.14%) have been
reported. Thus far, the largest number of cases have been reported
in week 9 (ending 6 March 2022) when 1 636 suspected cases
including two deaths were reported. Of the 10 811 suspected cases
reported, 212 (2.0%) have been confirmed.
The region of Conakry has reported the highest number of cases,
accounting for 82% (8 853) of the national total, with no deaths.
Within Conakry region, the Matoto commune has been the most
affected, reporting 7 921 (89.5%) of cases in the region. The
communes of Matam and Ratoma follow with 484 (5.5%) and
399 (4.5%) cases, respectively. The other two communes within
Conakry, Dixinn and Kaloum, have reported less than 1.0% of the
region’s total cases.
The other seven regions in Guinea have accounted for less than
4.0% of the cumulative measles cases. Boke region has reported
423 (3.9%) measles cases, followed by N’zerekore with 380 (3.5%),
Kindia with 373 (3.5%), Labe 307 (2.8%), Kankan with 226 (2.1%),
Faranah with 141 (1.3%), and Mamou with 108 (1.0%).
There is a challenge to diagnose measles cases at the prefecture
and regional health facility levels. The problem with diagnosis mostly
stem from insufficient transportation of biological samples to the
central level for laboratory analysis.
In addition, vaccination rates remain low and there is limited
community awareness about the importance of measles vaccination.
In an analysis conducted on a cohort of 1 217 confirmed cases from
2020, only 10.6% of cases were found to be vaccinated against
measles, 55.2% were found to be unvaccinated, and 34.2% did not
know their immunization status. The vaccination rate was found to
be below the recommended 95% target in order to maintain public
immunity. A supplemental immunization vaccination campaign has
been planned for March 2022 to distribute up to 3 million doses of
measles vaccine.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Epidemiological surveillance is being improved to adequately
monitor trends.
Risk communication and community engagement teams are
educating parents about the importance of measles vaccination.
Routine vaccination, advanced, and catch-up strategies have
been optimized to hopefully improve measles vaccination rates.
A supplemental vaccination campaign has been planned for
late March 2022 but is currently facing logistical delays. The
campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and
Public Hygiene with the help of partners.
The government is ensuring adequate case management of
measles patients especially children to avoid complications.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Guinea is currently experiencing a measles outbreak with all its
eight regions affected. The majority of cases have been reported in
Conakry region, though it has been difficult to diagnose cases in the
other regions. The protracted measles outbreak can be attributed to
low vaccination rates in the country and suboptimal awareness to
the importance of vaccination against the disease. A supplemental
immunization vaccination campaign has been planned for March
2022 to distribute up to 3 million doses of measles vaccine.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
With suboptimal vaccination coverages reported, strengthening
measles vaccination strategies to optimize routine vaccination
as well as conducting supplemental immunization activities is
paramount
Involve community and religious leaders in awareness
campaigns and receive their input for advanced and routine
strategies
Equip reference laboratories at lower levels (regional or
prefectural) with resources for diagnosis of measles including
capacitation of personnel.
View/Open
OEW13-2127032022.pdf (2.232Mb)
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/352663
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 13: 21 – 27 March 2022
Data as reported by: 17:00; 27 March 2022
...
Measles Guinea
10 811 cases
16 Deaths
0.14% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
Guinea has been experiencing an outbreak of measles since the
beginning of the year. As of 13 March 2022, a total of 10 811
suspected measles cases and 16 deaths (CFR 0.14%) have been
reported. Thus far, the largest number of cases have been reported
in week 9 (ending 6 March 2022) when 1 636 suspected cases
including two deaths were reported. Of the 10 811 suspected cases
reported, 212 (2.0%) have been confirmed.
The region of Conakry has reported the highest number of cases,
accounting for 82% (8 853) of the national total, with no deaths.
Within Conakry region, the Matoto commune has been the most
affected, reporting 7 921 (89.5%) of cases in the region. The
communes of Matam and Ratoma follow with 484 (5.5%) and
399 (4.5%) cases, respectively. The other two communes within
Conakry, Dixinn and Kaloum, have reported less than 1.0% of the
region’s total cases.
The other seven regions in Guinea have accounted for less than
4.0% of the cumulative measles cases. Boke region has reported
423 (3.9%) measles cases, followed by N’zerekore with 380 (3.5%),
Kindia with 373 (3.5%), Labe 307 (2.8%), Kankan with 226 (2.1%),
Faranah with 141 (1.3%), and Mamou with 108 (1.0%).
There is a challenge to diagnose measles cases at the prefecture
and regional health facility levels. The problem with diagnosis mostly
stem from insufficient transportation of biological samples to the
central level for laboratory analysis.
In addition, vaccination rates remain low and there is limited
community awareness about the importance of measles vaccination.
In an analysis conducted on a cohort of 1 217 confirmed cases from
2020, only 10.6% of cases were found to be vaccinated against
measles, 55.2% were found to be unvaccinated, and 34.2% did not
know their immunization status. The vaccination rate was found to
be below the recommended 95% target in order to maintain public
immunity. A supplemental immunization vaccination campaign has
been planned for March 2022 to distribute up to 3 million doses of
measles vaccine.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
Epidemiological surveillance is being improved to adequately
monitor trends.
Risk communication and community engagement teams are
educating parents about the importance of measles vaccination.
Routine vaccination, advanced, and catch-up strategies have
been optimized to hopefully improve measles vaccination rates.
A supplemental vaccination campaign has been planned for
late March 2022 but is currently facing logistical delays. The
campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and
Public Hygiene with the help of partners.
The government is ensuring adequate case management of
measles patients especially children to avoid complications.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Guinea is currently experiencing a measles outbreak with all its
eight regions affected. The majority of cases have been reported in
Conakry region, though it has been difficult to diagnose cases in the
other regions. The protracted measles outbreak can be attributed to
low vaccination rates in the country and suboptimal awareness to
the importance of vaccination against the disease. A supplemental
immunization vaccination campaign has been planned for March
2022 to distribute up to 3 million doses of measles vaccine.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
With suboptimal vaccination coverages reported, strengthening
measles vaccination strategies to optimize routine vaccination
as well as conducting supplemental immunization activities is
paramount
Involve community and religious leaders in awareness
campaigns and receive their input for advanced and routine
strategies
Equip reference laboratories at lower levels (regional or
prefectural) with resources for diagnosis of measles including
capacitation of personnel.
View/Open
OEW13-2127032022.pdf (2.232Mb)
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/352663
