The Ziguinchor region has recorded an impressive rate of measles cases this year, announced the Regional Health Directorate. The Oussouye department, in particular, has grouped together all of these cases, according to the head doctor of the Ziguinchor health district, Doctor Boubacar Kandé. He was speaking during the training of 30 journalists and radio presenters on the management of rumors linked to the Expanded Vaccination Program (EPI).
Dr. Kandé, also interim regional director of Health, informed of the imminent launch of a preventive vaccination campaign against measles and rubella. “In Ziguinchor, we have experienced many cases of measles, especially in Oussouye, during this year. It is good, before this campaign, that those in the press are made aware to help the health sector manage this false information and rumors,” declared the specialist.
Regarding this training of media actors on the management of rumors linked to the EPI and epidemiological surveillance, Seydou Bernard Diatta revealed that they are due to the considerable impact of the coronavirus on this vaccination program: “The pandemic of Covid-19 has had a negative impact on the vaccination program, vaccination against HPV (human papillomavirus) in particular, because of the psychosis linked to the disease and rumors relating to this vaccination. »
For Mr. Diatta, “it is time to discuss the Expanded Vaccination Program and epidemiological surveillance with communication stakeholders.” This will involve sharing ways and means of managing rumors relating to EPI and epidemiological surveillance.
Seydou Bernard Diatta, regional focal point for the EPI and epidemiological surveillance, recalled that the aim of the EPI is “to contribute to the reduction of infant and child morbidity and mortality, to the improvement of maternal health through vaccination and surveillance of targeted diseases.
Auteur: Max Euclide KANFANY Seneweb Ziguinchor – Seneweb.com
Senegal
