Measles outbreak

There is a measles outbreak occurring in two of the IDP camps inside. Ironically, there was a cross border immunization meeting last week, at which the urgency of providing measles vaccine was discussed, and plans were laid for doing so. We are also expecting to receive funding for a major vaccine initiative in the next few days. Neither soon enough. Several organizations are working together to meet the urgent need. MMR vaccine doses are about $5 dollars each, and with over 3000 needed, plus vitamin A, supplies, and confirmation testing, it is a lot of cash and materials to come up with on very short notice. It was done, and all necessities are being ordered today.

It is a weird feeling, to be in the middle of this response, and thinking back to my first day in 'Refugee Health Care' at Hopkins, hearing world renowned refugee health expert Dr. Gilbert Burnham tell us that measles vaccine is one of the most urgent needs of displaced people, and that it should be prioritized. I am glad now that I learned the primary and secondary case attack rates, the vaccine protocol and side effects, the requirements for confirmation testing and reporting. It is weird, to be applying lessons from such recent classes, so specifically.

The central importance of cold chain is also occupying a new place in my obsessings. So much depends on it, and even when you can find a way to maintain it going in, it is nearly impossible to get specimens back. The medics have so many creative solutions. They pack supplies in (naturally hollow) banana trees that have been soaked in cool water, stopping to re-moisten them every time they pass a water source - which apparently works quite well when items are already chilled. I have always been interested in the development of infrastructure to support off the grid locations, but I guess I have a new appreciation for those working on these issues which are crucial for so many other efforts. And for all of the organizations working on highly specific/sensitive/small/light/non-temperature sensitive/non-humidity sensitive/inexpensive rapid tests (Thanks PATH, IP, etc.!)