About 74 suspected measles cases have been reported amongst South Sudanese refugees in Northern Darfur in Sudan, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

UN OCHA says in its latest weekly bulletin that almost 93,000 refugees from South Sudan are estimated to have arrived in parts of Sudan since January 2016, fleeing ongoing conflict and intensified food insecurity.

UN OCHA says 55,000 of these refugees are in Ailliet locality in North Darfur East Darfur.

While the Sudanese Cooperation for Development Organization says more than 2,600 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Ailliet between  the 20th and 26th of July, bringing the total to an estimated 5,306 refugees in the locality.

CDO reported that there have been two measles-related deaths in the area. The most recent ten cases were reported between 25th and 31st of July.

All Africa.com websites reports that the 44 samples sent for laboratory testing, 22 samples were tested positive for measles.

In cooperation with the North Darfur Ministry of Health, the CDO started a vaccination campaign targeting all South Sudanese refugees in the affected areas.

Furthermore, CDO with support from Unicef, the World Food Program, the World Health Organization, and the state Health Ministry, is responding to the needs of the South Sudanese refugees in the locality.

An emergency general food distribution was carried out targeting 2,719 of the refugees who arrived in late June and early July in Dalil Babekir, Dalil Dukri, and Jodat villages. Health and nutrition support has also been provided.

Since fighting erupted in Juba in mid-July, tens of thousands of people have fled South Sudan to neighboring countries.