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The Herald, 13 May, 1981

MEASLES has claimed the lives of 15 children under the age of five in Salisbury so far this year, and the city’s health department is to mount an extensive campaign against the disease and polio from next month, says the Medical Officer of Health, Dr Tony Davies.

“We want to make sure that every child who hasn’t been so far is vaccinated.

“Every mother who gets in touch with any clinic for any reason will be asked if her child has been vaccinated,” Dr Davies said.

Leaflets will be distributed in and around Salisbury by health assistants. The campaign will run from June 1 to 13.

A mobile clinic will cover Matapi and Harare Musika from June 1-3; Rugare on June 4; Warren Park on June 5 and passengers in transit through the Harare long distance bus terminus from June 8-12.

Dr Davies said there had been a marked reduction in the number of deaths since 1979, when 303 five-year-old children died of measles in Salisbury alone.

Last year 69 children died.

“We are still receiving an average of 50 cases every week at our two isolation clinics — Wilkins Hospital and Beatrice Road. I appeal to the public to tell each other about this campaign because it is very important,” Dr Davies said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

There must always be a state of preparedness for epidemic outbreaks.

Rapid response to major outbreaks is of paramount importance.

Measles, just like coronavirus (COVID-19), can spread very fast and can have casualties in a short space of time.

There is need to educate people about epidemics like measles and coronavirus so that they take corrective measures, in order to save lives.

The media has a major role in information dissemination, and should be a leader in ensuring that messages reach desired audiences.