Following the situation in Ambatofinandrahana, the Antsirabe II district is now under investigation. Several children have died within two days in one of its communes.
A tragedy struck the rural commune of Ambohitsimanavo, in the Antsirabe II district. According to official sources, six children under the age of 7 died consecutively on August 4 and 5. The last child passed away while being transported to the Avarabohitra Basic Health Center (CSB1). Measles is suspected to be the cause of death.
“Teams from the Ministry of Public Health immediately went to the field to conduct an investigation in collaboration with the Antsirabe II District Public Health Service (SDSP). Analyses confirmed that measles was indeed the cause of death for these six children,” the Ministry stated on its Facebook page yesterday.
However, local medical sources urge caution, noting that the head of the local health center was only able to examine two of the victims who showed skin rashes, as the other four had already been buried. While the presence of the measles virus in the commune is confirmed, investigations are ongoing for other symptomatic cases.
As of July 19, the Ministry of Public Health reported that 42 districts are in an epidemic situation, with 24 in an active phase. From January 1 to July 19, 229 cases were confirmed by the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar (IPM), and 7,228 cases were identified through epidemiological links. Low vaccination coverage is cited as the primary factor driving the spread, and a vaccination campaign will be launched in response.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-07 06:08:39 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/sante-infantile-six-deces-suspects-de.html