DRC measles kill thousands in DRC. A health worker attends to patient. File photo
from JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) – THE death toll in the measles outbreak afflicting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 4 723.
Measles broke out five months ago, the latest crisis in the volatile country.
A cumulative total of 233 337 suspected measles cases have been confirmed.
Since September, over 53 860 cases and 1 164 deaths have been reported.
Five provinces, namely Ecuador, Kongo Central, Kwilu Mai-ndombe and South Kivu are severely affected.
Cases continue to be reported from Ituri and North-Kivu provinces, concurrently affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak that has killed over 2 000 people.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to coordinate partners supporting the government respond to the crisis.
A vaccination campaign scheduled for February next year is now planned for next month.
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus.
It is common among children.
Patients with measles present with fever and with a rash.
– CAJ News