WAM
17 Aug 2022, 16:33 GMT+10
HARARE, 17th August, 2022 (WAM) -- A measles outbreak in Zimbabwe has killed at least 157 children, with more than 2,000 infections reported across the country, the government said Tuesday.
Cases have been growing rapidly in the southern African nation since authorities said the first infection was logged earlier this month, with reported deaths almost doubling in less than a week.
"As of 15th August, the cumulative figure across the country has risen to 2,056 cases and 157 deaths," Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said, briefing journalists after a weekly Cabinet meeting.
Mutsvangwa said the government was going to step up vaccinations and has invoked special legislation allowing it to draw money from the national disaster fund "to deal with the emergency."
The measles virus attacks mainly children with the most serious complications including blindness, brain swelling, diarrhea and severe respiratory infections.
Its symptoms are a red rash that appears first on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. Once very common it can now be prevented with a vaccine.
Get a daily dose of Zimbabwe Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Zimbabwe Star.
More InformationSINGAPORE: Singapore has ordered Facebook's parent company, Meta, to block Singaporeans from seeing posts made by three foreigners...
DES MOINES, Iowa: Iowa's governor has launched a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register, seeking to block the newspaper from obtaining...
DETROIT, Michigan: A former top official at a major Detroit nonprofit was sentenced this week to 19 years in prison for stealing over...
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: Thousands of people are gathering in New Mexico for a big event that celebrates Native American and Indigenous...
SAN FRANCISCO, California: San Francisco is taking steps to change how it handles drug use. After Some people say focusing on quitting...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump signed an executive order to expand job training for skilled trades this week, shifting focus...
A participant smells Chinese tea during a cultural event in celebration of the Chinese Language Day in Addis Ababa, the capital of...
A Zimbabwean man sells leather products at a trade fair in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on April 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara) Zimbabwe's...
For Mali, achieving sustainable sovereignty goes beyond winning compensation disputes with foreign companies its also about strengthening...
London [UK], May 1 (ANI): Seven venues have been confirmed to host the ICC Women's T20 World Cup next year in England and the final...
Chattogram [Bangladesh], May 1 (ANI): All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz became just the third Bangladesh player and 39th overall in Test...
New Delhi [India], May 1 (ANI): Delhi Police have solved a hit-and-run case by arresting 55-year-old Rajesh Mehta, a property dealer...