Since the outbreak in early August, the number of cases in the South African country has increased rapidly, with the number of reported deaths nearly doubling in less than a week.
“As of August 15, the cumulative figures stood at 2,056 cases and 157 deaths,” Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said at a news conference. She went on to emphasize that the government will ramp up vaccinations “to cope with the emergency”.
The Ministry of Health has previously attributed the outbreak to religious gatherings.
The measles virus mainly affects children. The most serious complications are blindness, diarrhea and severe respiratory infections. The first symptoms are usually a red rash on the face, which then spreads to the rest of the body.