Capitalk Reporter/ Valeria Mhandu |  7 months ago | breaking

The Ministry of Health and Child Care says at least 80 people have died and 1,036 are suspected cases of measles, which has since spread nationwide following church gatherings.

Jasper Chimedza, Health and Child Care Secretary, said the most cases reported were among children between six months and 15 years of age from religious sects who were not vaccinated against measles due to religious beliefs.

"These gatherings (church), which were attended by people from different provinces of the country with unknown vaccination statuses, led to the spread of measles to previously unaffected areas," said Chimedza in a statement.

"As of August 11, 2022, a total of 1 036 suspected cases, 125 laboratory confirmed cases, and 80 deaths have been reported since the onset of the outbreak, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.9%."

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory tract viral infection that commonly affects children and is spread through sneezing, coughing, and by touching or contact with secretions of an affected individual.