The measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is "the worst in the world" and has killed more than 6,000 people in one year, said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday asking for an additional $ 40 million. to deal with it. In 2019, "more than 18 million children under the age of 5 have been vaccinated" across the country and "around 310,000 suspected cases" of measles were reported, WHO said in a statement. "25% of measles cases recorded concern children over five, who are the most vulnerable," adds WHO.
According to WHO, "US $ 27.6 million has been mobilized" but "an additional US $ 40 million is needed" for a six-month response plan to extend immunization to children aged 6 to 14 especially. "We urge our donor partners to step up their emergency assistance," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Low immunization coverage
The epidemic has been exacerbated by the low immunization coverage of vulnerable communities, malnutrition, weak public health systems, outbreaks of other diseases with epidemic potential, difficult access of vulnerable populations to health care and insecurity hampered response in some areas.
In addition to measles, the DRC is fighting against an Ebola epidemic which has already killed 2,233 people out of 3,390 recorded cases, according to the last official report dated Sunday. Declared in August 2018, this tenth Ebola epidemic on Congolese soil affects the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, two regions plagued by violence due to the presence of dozens of local and foreign armed groups.
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