Is there a measles outbreak in Namibia's Opuwo district?

Windhoek, Sep 17 (NationPress) The Ministry of Health and Social Services in Namibia has officially announced a measles outbreak in the Opuwo district of the northwestern Kunene Region, where 10 out of 20 suspected cases have tested positive, according to officials on Wednesday.

All affected individuals are reported to be in stable condition, with no fatalities recorded, stated Minister Esperance Luvindao. She emphasized that according to Namibia's national health protocols, the confirmation of just two laboratory-verified measles cases from a pool of five suspected cases is adequate to declare an outbreak.

The ministry has intensified its response by enhancing surveillance measures, launching public awareness campaigns, and organizing mass vaccination initiatives aimed at children aged between six months and 15 years.

As of September 12, a total of 1,525 children have already received vaccinations. A comprehensive district campaign is set to run from September 17 to October 3, 2025, targeting over 28,000 children.

According to Luvindao, the majority of confirmed cases are among individuals who have not been vaccinated, highlighting the critical need for routine childhood immunizations.

She urged parents and caregivers to ensure that all children are fully vaccinated and to seek medical attention promptly if they exhibit symptoms like fever and rash, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

Measles is an extremely contagious illness caused by a virus, spreading easily through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s coughs, sneezes, or breaths. It can lead to serious health complications and even death.

While measles can affect individuals of any age, it is most prevalent among children.

The virus primarily targets the respiratory tract before disseminating throughout the body. Initial symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and a widespread rash.

Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent measles infection and its transmission. The vaccine is safe and bolsters the body’s defense against the virus.

Prior to the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963, significant outbreaks occurred approximately every two to three years, resulting in an estimated 2.6 million fatalities annually.

In 2023 alone, approximately 107,500 individuals succumbed to measles, predominantly children under five years old, despite the availability of a safe and affordable vaccine.

Measles symptoms typically manifest 10–14 days following exposure to the virus, with a prominent rash being the most noticeable sign.

Initial symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks typically last 4–7 days.

The rash usually appears 7–18 days after exposure, starting on the face and neck, spreading over the course of about three days to the hands and feet, and usually fading after 5–6 days.