Those in Madagascar who have been vaccinated have received an extra booster jab (Image: GETTY)
Nearly 1,000 children and adults have been killed by the infections disease since October and 68,000 cases have been reported in the country of 25.5 million, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The increasingly popular tourist destination is home to Africa’s highest rate of malnutrition and low immunisation. WHO figures confirm 553 people have so far died of measles with a further 373 deaths suspected to have occurred because of the virus, but health officials say the actual numbers are much higher.
Madagascar has Africa's hightest rate of malnutrition (Image: GETTY)
Symptoms of measles include red spots and rashes, fever, inflamed eyes, and a runny nose.
While the contagious virus typically infects the upper respiratory tract if it moves to the lower respiratory it becomes pneumonia and is more problematic.
The growing outbreak has rocked Madagascar despite a huge emergency vaccination program being rolled out.
Dr Katrina Kretsinger of WHO’s expanded program on immunisation told a news briefing some of those who had previously received vaccinations have been given a second “booster” jab.
An emergency vaccination program is being rolled out in Madagascar (Image: GETTY)
She said: “We believe that that should go a long way towards
