January 08, 2020

Anna Murray 

The World Health Organization (WHO) on January 7 declared approximate 310,000 suspected cases of the measles outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo since June of 2019. Meanwhile, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, the UN agency, has been doing the utmost to curb the epidemic. Still, WHO reported more than 6,000 lives had been lost in the measles epidemic in Congo already.

According to WHO’s statements, the authorities had vaccinated in 2019 some 18 million young children under the age of 5 in Congo. But, WHO appealed for needing more funding in order to implement successful curbing the measles outbreak.

Measles is a commonly known virus that initially begins with a runny nose, sneezing, and fever. Later, after a few days, measles leads to a blotchy rash on the face first and then spreads across the body. Most people will recover; however, measles can be deadly. Especially it causes pneumonia in the lungs or swelling in the brain (encephalitis). Some estimated there were over 110,000 deaths from measles in the world each year.

WHO has projected the need of US$ 40 million for carrying out the plan to vaccinate children between the ages of 6 and 14 in Congo.

Photo:Webshot.