More than 700 measles cases reported in Dem. Rep. of Congo

KIGALI, Rwanda

There has been a sharp rise in measles cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo with more than 700 cases recorded since the beginning of 2022 in southwest Kwango province, a health official said Tuesday.

Francois Mwakisenda told reporters that since the beginning of the year, measles cases have been recorded in three health zones in Kitenda, Popo Kabaka and Panzi.

The most affected health zone is Kitenda which has recorded 730 cases.

“The rise in measles cases is particularly concerning because apart from the Kitenda health zone, where the medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), team has intervened in providing care, the response has been poor in other areas,” said Mwakisenda.

He called for a mass vaccination campaign for all children to reduce the risk of getting sick and death.

The outbreak of the extremely contagious viral disease was initially declared in Maniema province at the end of 2021.

Provincial health officials have appealed for central government support for an effective response program.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routine immunization as the best way to protect people, especially children, from getting measles.

Governments must ensure at least 95% of their populations receive two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, according to the WHO.