UNICEF is deeply concerned with the number of cases and deaths among children
due to a measles outbreak in Zimbabwe.
On 10 April 2022, Mutasa District in Manicaland Province was the first district to report a
measles outbreak. According to the latest data shared by the Government of Zimbabwe
through the weekly Disease Surveillance System, a total of 6034 suspected cases,
4266 recoveries and 685 deaths have been recorded since the onset of the
outbreak. Manicaland Province has the highest burden (52.5%) and the highest case fatality
rate (9.8%).
UNICEF and partners are supporting the Government’s response and the Rapid
Response Teams the Government has deployed in the affected districts. UNICEF
assists the Government to control the outbreak through the tracking of cases in the
community and through supplementary immunization activities. The measles campaign
targets more than 2 million children aged between 6 months and five years and more than
Four million children aged 5 to 15 years.
UNICEF and partners are also supporting risk communication, and community
engagement activities rolled out by the Government. Vaccine hesitancy in communities
is addressed with Information, Education, and Communication materials, and
interpersonal communication highlighting the benefits of the vaccines. UNICEF and
partners are helping to collect and respond to misinformation and rumors circulating
within communities.
UNICEF thanks the Measles Rubella Initiative, GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, the partners
of the Health Development Fund and all other donors for supporting the Government led
response to the measles outbreak and the purchase of additional measles vaccine
doses, and for their continuous support to the children of Zimbabwe.
