Investigation of a suspected measles outbreak in a security crisis and border zone, Cinkansé, Burkina Faso, November 2022
Introduction: From September 12, 2022, to October 23, 2022, the border CSPS (Health and Social Promotion Center) in Cinkansé reported a total of 22 suspected cases of measles. In response to this unusual number of suspected cases, we investigated to confirm the outbreak and guide the response. M...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
African Field Epidemiology Network
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.afenet-journal.net/content/article/7/44/full/ |
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| Summary: | Introduction: From September 12, 2022, to October 23, 2022, the border CSPS
(Health and Social Promotion Center) in Cinkansé reported a total of 22 suspected
cases of measles. In response to this unusual number of suspected cases, we
investigated to confirm the outbreak and guide the response. Methods: We conducted
a cross-sectional study. The investigation took place over two days, from October 31
to November 1, 2022. A suspected case of measles was defined as any person residing
in Cinkansé and presenting between August 29 and November 1, 2022, with fever,
maculopapular rash, cough, cold or conjunctivitis. A confirmed case was any
suspected case with positive measles virus IgM. We abstracted data from the
consultation registers and complimented this with primary data collected through
clinical observation and individual interviews. A vaccination coverage survey was
carried out in the community. The collection tools used included an interview guide
and a documentary analysis framework. Data analysis was carried out with Epi info
and we calculated proportions. Results: We found 44 suspected cases of measles,
including 2 during an active community search. Of these, 77.3% (34/44) lived in
Cinkansé_Burkina and 22.7% (10/44) in Cinkassé_Togo. The average age of cases is
2.2 years. Extreme ages are represented by cases aged 3 months and 34 years. Not all
cases received their second dose of measles-rubella vaccine (RR2). Blood samples were
taken from 33/44 cases, but only 11 samples were analyzed by the laboratory due to a
lack of reagent availability. Of the 11 samples analyzed, 9 were positive for measles
IgM. For the other cases, we had 10 epidemiologically confirmed cases and 23
clinically compatible cases. The measles epidemic was confirmed on November 16,
2022. The vaccine coverage survey showed that 61.90% (13/21) of children had
received their second dose of measles-rubella vaccine (RR2). We conducted a joint
reactive vaccination campaign with Togo from December 5 to 11, 2022. The target was
subjects aged 6 months to 14 years. A total of 47,592 children in this age group
benefited from this vaccination, i.e. coverage of 115.20%. Vaccination led to a gradual
decline in the number of cases, followed by the declaration of the end of the epidemic
on March 5, 2023 Conclusion: A measles epidemic was confirmed. Reinforced
epidemiological surveillance at all levels and cross-border collaboration could prevent
futures epidemics. |
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| ISSN: | 2664-2824 |