The Makira Ulawa Provincial Health Director said 11 suspected measles cases were reported in the province last week.
Dr Arnold Nguduamae told SIBC News, nine suspected measles cases are from Waimapuru National Secondary School, while two were reported from communities close by to Kirakira.
He said health officials in Kirakira were dispatched to Waimapuru school to raise awareness on measles last Wednesday.
“Kirakira hospital has identified a total of 11 suspected cases as of Friday last week.After sighting these cases at the school we went to give them awareness especially what to know about measles as well as avoiding the stigma associated with the suspected cases.”
Dr Nguduamae confirmed that measles vaccines have been received from Honiara.
Child Health Officer of Kirakira Hospital Hudson Taro says a team of medical officers have gone into the communities to provide measles vaccines to students and children in Kirakira.
Taro said additional vaccines will need to be dispatched soon as current supplies will not be enough for the whole province.
“The supply that was received on Friday will not cover the whole province until other supplies will arrive. I think we only receive 3,000 doses where it will not cover the whole province as of yet and we are still waiting for some more supplies.”
He said the current supplies is enough for students and children under five year old.
“Because of limited vaccine we are only targetting under five year old and students who are in Primary schools as well as those at Waimapuru school, but there is a high demand from the age above 30, where it’s a big challenge we have at this point in time because few cases we have are adult cases, more than the age group, which is quite challenging, said Taro.
– SIBC
