ANTANANARIVO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The death toll linked to measles and malaria in Ifanadiana District, southeastern Madagascar, has risen to 37, with children accounting for about 75 percent of the deaths, a health official said Tuesday.
Andrianina Desire Rakotoarimino, general director of preventive medicine at the Ministry of Public Health, said at a press conference that seven people are currently receiving treatment at health facilities, while the health situation in the affected localities has now been under control.
In response, health authorities have launched vaccination campaigns against measles and distributed protective materials and equipment to local residents, the general director added.
Cases showing symptoms of measles or malaria appeared about two months ago in some localities of Ifanadiana District. However, the remoteness of some areas has made it difficult for health workers to reach affected populations, complicating both their intervention efforts and the treatment of patients, according to a ministry statement issued last Sunday.
