The Saraya health district, like that of Kédougou, is currently facing a measles outbreak, a highly contagious disease that primarily affects children. The alert was confirmed by Alioune Faye, focal point for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and epidemiological surveillance in the Saraya health district.

According to official data, seven confirmed cases of measles were recorded between December and the beginning of January. The geographical distribution of the cases shows four infections in Khossanto, two in Mamakhono, and one case in Bransan, prompting a rapid mobilization of health services.

Faced with this concerning situation, health authorities immediately launched an epidemiological response. "We started the response in Mamakhono and Khossanto, specifically at the preschools, in collaboration with the teaching staff," explained Alioune Faye. This targeted intervention made it possible to vaccinate all children aged 9 months to 5 years, in order to curb the spread of the disease in these affected areas.

The EPI focal point clarified that the district will officially remain in an epidemic state until February 6th. "If no new cases are recorded by then, we will be able to declare the end of the epidemic," he reassured, emphasizing the importance of epidemiological monitoring during this critical period.

As part of this response, the Saraya health district has set an ambitious goal: to vaccinate 11,355 children aged 9 months to 5 years across the entire district. This strategy aims to strengthen herd immunity and prevent any new outbreaks of the disease.

Regarding the evolution of confirmed cases, health authorities are reassuring. No serious cases have been reported to date and no deaths have been recorded, demonstrating the effectiveness of the care provided and the speed of the health response.

The health posts in Khossanto, Mamakhono, Bransan, and Sabodala are fully mobilized in the fight against measles. Furthermore, a coordination meeting was held with health stakeholders to anticipate and strengthen prevention measures in the other health posts in the department that have not yet been affected. This approach aims to protect all children, in a context marked by high population mobility, a risk factor for the spread of the disease.

Alioune Faye also sought to reassure the public about the sufficient availability of vaccines. "Measles is a highly contagious disease. Everyone's cooperation is essential to achieving our main objective, which is to protect all the children in the department," he concluded, urging parents to have their children vaccinated regularly and to promptly report any suspected cases.