Otjinguenjenje

Otjinguenjenje is the Otjiherero word for Measles. The entire Northern area of Kunene Region is being heavily affected by Measles at the moment. The outbreak started about a month ago, and so far Opuwo District has had 292 cases reported. Currently we have 36 patients on admission (15 adults, 21 children) and to date we have admitted 120 patients at Opuwo Hospital. Thus far two people have died: one a woman of 42, the other a two year-old child.

Measles is a virus which is highly contagious, and also highly preventable. Symptoms include rash, coughing, fever, conjunctivitis, and spots in the mouth (Koplik spots). In the Western world, people are routinely immunized for Measles as children, and outbreaks are virtually unheard of. However the vast majority of people in my area are not protected, and as a result Measles is spreading like wildfire. In schools children often stay in "hostels," where they sleep in close quarters, and the home situation is very much the same; the traditional style of living here keeps families very close together. As such, when one person is exposed, they then spread the virus to many other people.

This crisis has stretched us to the limit. Our wards are overflowing with people, and after three patients who were here for treatment for other diseases contracted measles, along with two hospital staff members, we reached out for assistance from other organizations in Namibia. Thanks to the Namibian Defense Force, we have now had five tents donated to our health facility so that Measles patients can be kept in relative isolation. Some nurses have also joined us from other regions of Namibia, and they are helping to ease the heavy burden on our staff.

So its been a very busy time here, to say the least. As one of the coordinators for the social mobilization/targeted immunization campaign, I have been working to help ensure that we protect as many children as possible from this disease. Last week we had 8 teams in the field, and over the course of 3 days they were collectively able to immunize 581 children who had not been previously immunized. It was a great start, and hopefully this week will prove to be an even greater success. Despite the fact that we are facing a transport crisis, as well as a water crisis, progress is being made!

There is still a lot of work to be done...wish us luck!