The health officials in Unity States, Rubkona County in South Sudan have officially declared a measles outbreak among Sudanese refugees returning to South Sudan.

The Rubkona County Health Director, Jal Kuol Malow in an interview with Xinhua News Agency said that 86 returnees at the Rotriah Payam Health Clinic and the Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons Camp had been diagnosed with measles.

“In the wider Rubkona area, we have identified 86 cases of measles, with youngsters aged 4-6 making up the majority of these cases,” he said.

According to Malow, the affected children were never vaccinated against measles while they were in war-torn Sudan.

“Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners conducted a measles vaccination campaign in Rotriah Payam for returnees, and a similar measles vaccination campaign will take place this week in Rubkona town and Bentiu Internally Displaced Persons Camp,” he added.

The declaration of a measles outbreak in Unity State has raised serious health concerns in South Sudan.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads rapidly among individuals who have not been vaccinated or have not developed immunity.

The influx of returnees into Unity State has created a conducive environment for the spread of the disease, as many individuals may not have access to proper healthcare or immunization services.