Measles outbreak in a poorly vaccinated region in Cameroon: a case series study public health challenges and recommendations

Tuesday, 3rd of November 2015

Measles outbreak in a poorly vaccinated region in Cameroon: a case series study public health challenges and recommendations

 Tsi Njim¹² Leopold Ndemnge Aminde³⁴ Fambombi Vitalis Feteh²⁵ Joel Mbigha Ngum⁶ Chandini Aliyou Moustapha⁷

 ¹Regional Hospital Bamenda North west region Bamenda Cameroon ²Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Group Douala Cameroon ³Sub-divisional Hospital Nguti South west region Nguti Cameroon ⁴Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy (CRENC) Douala Littoral Cameroon ⁵Mbopi Baptist Hospital Douala Douala Cameroon ⁶Fundong District Hospital North west region Fundong Cameroon ⁷Sub-divisional Hospital Misaje North west region Misaje Cameroon

  Abstract

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection and still a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in Africa; especially in unvaccinated populations. We reviewed the medical reports of the measles outbreak that occurred in Misaje in the North west region of Cameroon from 11/03/2015 to 14/05/2015. Six measles cases were recorded during this period; three of them complicated by bacterial infections. Measles should be considered as a differential diagnosis for any febrile rash especially among poorly vaccinated populations. Primary preventive methods implemented by clinicians could help control outbreaks; especially with delays in public health intervention. Also gaps in health policies in Cameroon should be addressed to scale up vaccination coverage in remote communities like Misaje to reduce the incidence of measles outbreaks.