Turkana measles outbreak a national security concern - officials
The measles-rubella vaccine.
Authorities in Turkana County have declared the current measles outbreak a national security concern, as cases have only been reported in banditry-prone villages in Lokiriama, Aroo, and Loima sub-counties.
The two sub-counties border West Pokot County where peace spoilers are capitalising on an ongoing security operation. This operation has not only disarmed herders but also reduced the number of police reservists, many of whom were either directly or indirectly involved in banditry activities.
"Border villages, especially those in Lobei/Kotaruk, Turkwel, Katilu and Lobokat wards with a high number of unimmunised children, are among the most affected. Our healthcare workers fear conducting house-to-house immunisations because they risk being attacked by bandits," said Dr Joseph Epem, County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation.
As part of a nationwide integrated immunisation campaign aimed at curbing the spread of drug-resistant typhoid and containing rising measles-rubella outbreaks across several counties, Turkana County will rely on support from security personnel to vaccinate 177,108 children aged between 9 and 59 months over a 10-day period that started last Saturday.
"We need support from the County Security Committee to maintain high vaccination coverage in banditry-prone areas. This is crucial to preventing outbreaks and protecting vulnerable individuals who already face challenges in accessing basic needs like food and quality healthcare," added Dr Epem.
Deputy Governor John Erus urged police to provide security for healthcare workers involved in the vaccination drive.
Dr Erus said that with support from various partners and the national Ministry of Health, the county has secured enough vehicles to transport the Measles-Rubella (MR) and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) to all 12 sub-counties in Turkana.
"Measles and typhoid are highly infectious diseases. Measles remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children under five. Typhoid primarily affects children under 15, contributing to high morbidity, treatment costs, and school absenteeism. That’s why it's critical to achieve our vaccination targets," he explained.
Dr Erus added that the increasing number of unvaccinated children has led to multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles. “Turkana County has reported measles outbreaks in three sub-counties—Aroo, Loima, and Lokiriama—with over 50 cases last month. These outbreaks indicate significant immunity gaps among the population,” he said.
Healthcare workers in all sub-counties have been mobilised and have mapped out hard-to-reach areas due to insecurity and poor road networks to ensure that vulnerable children are vaccinated.
Turkana Central Deputy County Commissioner Thomas Siele noted that the country’s national interest is to protect its population and that includes ensuring that every child is vaccinated.
“We are going to work with the County Government to make sure every single child is reached. This includes all children in transit through Turkana,” Mr Siele said.
He also urged healthcare workers to educate communities about the dangers of open defecation, which contributes to the spread of diseases such as typhoid.
Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr Gilchrist Lokoel, appealed to the public to bring their children for vaccination to protect them from harm—or even death—in severe cases. “In Turkana, children under the age of 15 bear the greatest disease burden, with those under five at the highest risk of dying from preventable illnesses,” he said.
Before the vaccination campaign was launched in Lodwar, healthcare workers at both county and sub-county levels underwent training to ensure vaccines are properly administered.
The campaign will be rolled out across health facilities, schools, churches, other religious institutions, temporary outreach sites and mobile posts.