The World Health Organization and its partners planned a nationwide campaign for November to vaccinate 4.2 million children in Somalia against the measles.
With 14,823 suspected cases reported as of July 31, the nation is facing its worse measles outbreak in four years. Prolonged drought has resulted in food insecurity and a lack of clean water in Somalia. The conditions have made the nation particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious disease.
"Somalia is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Millions of people, already on the brink of famine, are now at risk of rapidly spreading infectious diseases like cholera and measles," said Ghulam Popal, MD, the WHO's representative in Somalia. "Normally, these diseases are easy to treat and prevent, but they can turn deadly when people are living in overcrowded spaces and are too weak to fight off infection."
The WHO issued an urgent call on Wednesday for donations to support the campaign. The health agency said it needs $6.8 million to conduct the campaign, but has not yet received any funding.
Measles is a highly communicable virus characterized by symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and a red rash that covers the body. Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing the measles, according to the CDC.
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