Harare — Measles continues to spread in Zimbabwe despite intensified efforts by Government and its partners to contain the outbreak which has affected over 1 200 people since October last year.

According to the latest weekly epidemiological bulletin produced by the Cholera Command and Control Centre (C4), between January 25 and 31, a total of 611 blood specimens had been received by the polio-measles laboratory of which 221 were confirmed to be measles.

These figures are an increase from the previous week's 459 blood specimens and 176 positive measles cases.

Latest information indicates that 72 percent of positive measles cases where above the routine immunisation age of nine to 12-month, and the majority of the positive cases were in the five to 14 years age group.

Seventeen percent of all positive cases were in the 14-year age group, 18 percent were in those aged one to five and 11 percent were in the nine to 12 age groups.

The district measles attack rates for the week ranged between 357 per 100 000 compared to 160 per 100 000 people the previous week.

The C4 is a national body formed at the height of the cholera outbreak last year to respond to emergencies and is co-chaired by officials from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.

It provides guidance to agencies on issues relating to

data collection, analysis and interpretation, and suggests operational strategies on the basis of epidemiological patterns.

According to the bulletin, the majority of the measles attacks were in people who had never been immunised before.

Since October 2009, 28 of Zimbabwe's 62 districts had at least one confirmed measles case.

These districts are: Bindura, Bikita, Bubi, Buhera, Bulawayo, Centenary, Chegutu, Chirumhanzu, Chipinge, Gokwe South, Goromonzi, Gutu, Harare (including Chitungwiza) Hwedza, Insiza , Kwekwe, Makoni, Makonde, Marondera, Masvingo, Mt. Darwin, Mutare, Nyanga , Umzingwane, Seke, Zaka, Zvimba and Zvishavane.

In response to the outbreak, Government said it might invoke provisions of the Public Health Act that empower the Minister of Health and Child Welfare to enforce immunisations.

This follows refusal by some people to take their children for immunisation, thereby putting other children around them at risk of being infected by highly contagious but preventable diseases.

However, Health Secretary Dr Gerald Gwinji said the Act needs amendment before the minister could invoke the necessary provisions.

"The Act needs amendment because it is not clear when a child is said to be of public health threat.

"It is vague whether the ministry can actually drag someone from his home saying he is a threat to the public when he is in his house or the provision applies only when a child is at school," Dr Gwinji said.

C4 and other health stakeholders recommended amendments to the act to address specific measles issues.

Worldwide, vaccination has led to the elimination of measles in the WHO region of America while global measles mortality has decreased by 74 percent from 750 000 in 2000 to 197 000 deaths in 2007.

According to WHO, the cost of immunising a child is between US$20 to US$40.

However, in Zimbabwe and other developing countries immunisation is free at all public institutions.

Meanwhile, the country has not recorded any new cases of Influenza AHIN1 and cholera in the past week.

C4 statistics indicate that Zimbabwe is now in its 11th week without a reported case of swine flu.

There have been no fresh cholera reports in the past four weeks.

Since the beginning of this year, 13 cases of anthrax were reported in Shurugwi (eight), Kadoma (three), Mwenezi (two), and Chikomba (one).

A suspected case in Seke is still under investigation.

According to C4, vaccination of cattle has since been undertaken in Seke and Mhondoro districts.