Thriteen suspected measles cases have been reported in Deim Zubeir, a town in Western Bahr El Ghazal state between Raja and Wau.

“We have 13 children admitted here in Deim Zubeir suffering from measles,” said a medical officer working in the clinic there.

According to the medical officer the patients developed symptoms like full-body rash, a cough, runny nose, high fever and red eyes.

Measles is normally characterized by ‘Koplik's spots’ appearing inside the mouth. These are small red spots with blue-white centers.

Dr. Yasser Biajo, the county hospital director, confirmed that the symptoms appear to be those of measles but cautioned that this diagnosis has not be confirmed through testing.

He said that a medical team was sent from Wau to Deim Zubeir to collect the blood sample for examination, and another team of the World Health Organization is expected to go to the site.

The doctor said that the 13 cases were reported just within three days and said that only three are still sick. The father of a patient said, “My child is here in the hospital suffering with no treatment.” 

Reporting by Radio Tamazuj