Shangil Tobaya – Darfur24
Medical staff and volunteers in North Darfur reported on Thursday a worsening measles outbreak across several areas of the region, with rising deaths and infections amid acute shortages of vaccines and medical supplies.
In Um Katkout town in Al-Tawisha locality, southeast of El Fasher, the emergency room said infections increased from 32 cases recorded on March 10 to 62 cases, including one death and 22 recoveries. The chamber warned that the disease is spreading to neighboring areas, noting that vaccines provided were insufficient and that the local health center faces a severe shortage of medicines, intravenous fluids and vitamin A.
In Shangal Tobaya, southwest of El Fasher, authorities opened an isolation center at the rural hospital following a surge in cases in the town and surrounding areas, including Um Draisai and displacement camps such as Shaddad and Naivasha.
Awad Mahmoud, medical director of Shangil Tobaya Rural Hospital, said infections began rising more than a month ago after field investigations confirmed the spread of the virus. He reported 11 deaths, with 85 cases recorded in Shangil Tobaya and 68 cases in Shaddad camp and Um Draisai, in addition to 46 recoveries.
Local leader Shartai Adam Abu al-Qasim al-Rashid said the isolation center would help ease pressure on the health system, stressing the urgent need to resume vaccination campaigns after a suspension of more than two years.
Dr. Suleiman Abdullah Ahmed, Director of Health Centers in Dar Al Salam locality, confirmed that limited quantities of medicines and supplies—sufficient for only 10 days—had been provided with support from the Patients Aid Fund.
In Kabkabiya, the emergency room reported that deaths had risen from 23 to 26, with infections reaching 237 cases, amid continued shortages of essential medicines and equipment.
Meanwhile, a survey in Kutum locality recorded 15 deaths and 44 infections among nomadic communities in the Damra Moro area, indicating the spread of the outbreak in remote مناطق.
Health workers warn that measles is spreading widely across Darfur and Kordofan, with recent outbreaks also reported in Labado in East Darfur and Kalmando in North Darfur, raising concerns of a growing regional health crisis in the absence of sustained medical support and vaccination programs.