Measles outbreak at university

 THE University of Papua New Guinea has confirmed that 22 students have been tested positive for measles.

Sister Jackie Jumbu, the health coordinator for clinics in the North-West electorate, said the university recorded the highest number of cases in the electorate.

Jumbu said the university should have been closed but students were in campus because of examinations.

“Normally, the Health Department declares an outbreak when one person is tested positive. But to have 22 … the school should have been closed,” Jumbu said.

Jumbu has taken a team from Gerehu clinic to assist the university clinic to vaccinate students. 

Sister Aetau Tapia of the university clinic said they vaccinated 1,994 students on Monday and Tuesday. 

The figure is expected to rise.

Sister Tapia said they were also vaccinating pregnant women visiting the university clinic. 

She is encouraging all staff of the university to get vaccinated aswell.

The vaccination programme is funded by the World Health Organisation and Unicef.