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Fighting Congo Measles Endemic on Two Fronts

Measles have killed over 6,000 people in the central African nation since the beginning of 2019. The largest was the epidemic that ravaged parts of West Africa from 2014 to 2016, killing more than 11,000 people. Number of measles cases in DRC in 2019 is more than triple the number recorded for all of 2018. hildren below the age of 5 are over 90% of the total measles deaths so far.

Health worker Nsiri Lowoso vaccinate three month old Zoe Nukandila as his mom, Arellete Ytshika, hold him, Saturday 10 Nov, 2018 at the Centre De Sante Le Rocher Maternity in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. He was vaccinated against measles and rubella, tetanus and polio. Photography: UNICEF/UN0328788/Prinsloo

This disease is an extremely infectious viral infection that can sometimes lead to serious health complications, including infections of the lungs and brain, though it’s a preventable disease.

WHO signaled that measles is a virus which typically begins with a high fever. It’s the complications associated with the highly contagious disease, including pneumonia and encephalitis, which are responsible for most measles-related deaths.

Population movement and health-seeking behaviour are still major drivers of the epidemic. Violence and insecurity, lack of access to health care and shortages of vaccines and medical kits in the worst-affected areas have meant that thousands of children have missed out on vaccinations, with potentially deadly consequences.

The country is facing an alarming situation because millions of Congolese children miss out on routine immunization and lack access to health care when they fall sick. On top of that, a weak health system, insecurity, community mistrust of vaccines and vaccinations and logistical challenges all contribute to a huge number of unvaccinated children at risk of contracting the disease.

The DRC’s government has launched its next national follow-up vaccination campaign on 22 October 2019, which aims to immunize children 6 months to five years old against measles in every province. The campaign is supported by many partners, including UNICEF, which is providing technical assistance at the national, provincial and local level, procuring vaccines and helping promote the campaign.

The Two Fronts: Preventing Infections and Preventing Deaths

Susafrica.com, 2020. Fighting Congo Measles Endemic on Two Fronts

The government and key partners, UNICEF have been racing to vaccinate children against measles, and at the same time, supplying clinics with medicines that treat symptoms and improve the chance of survival for those already infected.

Last year, thousands of medical kits are being delivered to health centres in measles hotspots. The kits contain antibiotics, rehydration salts, Vitamin A, pain relievers, antipyretics and other supplies to care for people infected with the highly contagious and potentially deadly viral disease. Two doses of the measles vaccine are recommended and roughly 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization. In DRC, measles immunization coverage was only 57 per cent in 2018.

However to avoid massive measles outbreaks in the future, there must be significant investment in strengthening DRC’s national vaccination programme and addressing the serious gaps in coverage. Cultural beliefs and traditional health care practices also often get in the way of vaccinating children against measles and treating those with symptoms. Conversely, these methods can only ever be a short-term solution.

Important investment is needed in support of the DRC’s national vaccination programme and wider health care systems is crucial to guarantee the health and wellbeing of the country’s children.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said some 310,000 suspected cases of the infection have been reported since then. Health workers in Congo struggle to access isolated parts of the immense nation, and vaccination rates remain low in areas where armed groups operate.

More than $27.6 million already has been mobilized to reduce the measles disaster, WHO said than $40 million is needed for a special six-month plan that would extend vaccination of older children between the ages of 6 and 14.

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