Harare, Zimbabwe, The death toll from a measles outbreak in Zimbabwe has risen to almost 700 children, the country’s health ministry has said.

The southern African country’s health ministry announced at the weekend that 698 children have died from measles since the outbreak started in April.

Measles is among the most infectious diseases in the world and mostly spreads in the air by coughing, sneezing or close contact.

Symptoms include coughing, fever and a skin rash, while the risk of severe measles or dying from complications is high among unvaccinated children.

Source: Oman News Agency