DRC reports 252 measles deaths since beginning of the year

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

The measles outbreak that affected more than 300,000 people and killing more than 6,000 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last year continues into 2020, albeit slowing.

Since the beginning of the year, 20,475 measles cases and 252 deaths have been reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) says while the overall situation remains serious, the weekly incidence of cases and deaths has continued to reduce in the past 10 weeks.

Children under the age of five years remain the most affected all provinces, accounting for 71% of all confirmed cases.

Reactive vaccination campaigns have reached 5,789,008 children aged 6-59 months in 179/261 health zones. In addition, 18 million children aged 6-59 months have been vaccinated in supplementary

vaccination activities in 518/129 health zones.

WHO reminds not to get complacent as multiple operational challenges confound the ongoing response– mobilization of resources, issues around provision of free medical care in affected areas and communication issues.

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