Burkina Faso: Measles Outbreak - Jan 2024

From week 46 of 2023 to week 7 of 2024, Burkina Faso reported a total of 2089 suspected cases of measles, resulting in seven (7) deaths. In 2023, there were a cumulative total of 2190 measles cases with five deaths. However, the situation in 2024 far surpasses these figures. From week 1 to week 9 alone, there have been 3050 suspected cases and 10 deaths. These numbers for 2024 significantly exceed those of the preceding three years (2021 to 2023). While all health regions are affected, the Central, North-Central, North, Boucle du Mouhoun, and Hauts-Bassins regions have reported the highest number of cases. Active measles outbreaks persist in districts such as Boulmiougou and Bogodogo in the Central region, Ouahigouya in the North region, Tougouri in the North-Central region, and Boromo and Solenzo in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. Additionally, new outbreaks have emerged in the Nongr-Masom health district in the Central region (20 cases in week 8 and 31 cases in week 9) and the Dori health district in the Sahel region (8 cases in week 8_2024 and 28 cases in week 9_2024). As of week 9 of 2024, Sig-Nonghin, Tenado, Kaya, Manni, Dandé, Orodara, and Zorgho are identified as new districts at risk of epidemic [...] To tackle this alarming situation, health authorities activated the Center for Response Operations to Health Emergencies (CORUS) on 26 January 2024. (IFRC, 27 Mar 2024)

3,385,477 children aged 9 months to 59 months were vaccinated against measles during measles vaccination campaigns. As of March 24, 5,688 suspected cases of measles have been reported with 21 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 0.4 per cent. (UNICEF, 12 Apr 2024)

Burkina Faso is experiencing a decrease change in measles cases. Between week 1 and week 21 of 2024, a total of 9904 suspected measles cases, resulting in 46 deaths, have been recorded. This downward trend is observed in all 9 health districts which conducted the anticipated reactive campaign. Currently only 4 health districts have active outbreaks of measles. (WHO, 16 Jun 2024)