Head of Health Protection at the Ministry of Health Dr. Aalisha Sahukhan

There have been four confirmed cases of measles since the announcement of an outbreak in the Wailali settlement, Wainadoi last week.

Head of Health Protection at the Ministry of Health Dr. Aalisha Sahu khan says the cases are linked as all four came into contact with each other at some point.

An investigation is underway to determine whether any of them came in contact with international travellers.

Dr. Sahu khan says 95% of the people in Wainadoi – which falls in the Serua/Namosi subdivision have been vaccinated.

She says they have enough vaccines available.

“Because we offer two doses of vaccination to children every year that means we have to have in stock close to 50,000 vaccines just for that routine vaccination. We have also brought in additional stock of vaccination so in addition to that routine vaccination we have about 90,000 doses in stock.”

Health officials are advising parents that children need to receive at least two doses of the measles vaccine to strengthen their immunity.