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DR Congo: 2019/2020 Measles - 7,000+ deaths - outbreak over

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  • #16
    Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/fe...080536405.html

    Analysis: DRC's deadly, but ignored, measles epidemic
    In the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, the DRC is trying to tackle a deadly measles outbreak with limited resources.
    by Rosebell Kagumire & Freddy Bikioli Bolombo
    4 hours ago

    In early January, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the number of people killed by a measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has passed 6,000. It added that the epidemic, which affected more than 310,000 people since the start of 2019, is the world's largest and fastest moving. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), three-quarters of those who have died are children...

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    • #17
      Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/...164502568.html

      Measles: In Ebola's shadow, a quiet killer is on a rampage in DRC
      Since the start of 2019, measles epidemic has infected more than 341,000 people and killed some 6,400 in the DRC.
      by Lisa Murray
      8 hours ago

      Mongala Province, DRC - Three months ago, Alphonsina Ekima emerged from the narrow jungle path leading to her village in the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to find a huddle of people gathered around her house.

      Confused, she asked her neighbours what was happening. No one replied. Eventually, somebody broke the news. Her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Marie Bwana, was dead...

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      • #18
        Source: https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/05...ands-children/


        Measles in Congo kills thousands of children: Doctors Without Borders
        by Renee Bernard
        Posted May 24, 2020 8:55 am PDT
        Last Updated May 24, 2020 at 8:59 am PDT

        VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The COVID pandemic is making it extremely difficult to address a more deadly situation in Congo.

        Thousands of children have died in Congo since a measles outbreak was identified two years ago. According to Doctors Without Borders, 6,600 children have died since January of 2019.

        At the best of times, it’s a challenge to get infants inoculated in a country wracked with poverty, poor roads and violence.

        “Just getting the vaccinations – they’ve got a weak health care system, you’ve got fighting and insecurity, you’ve got logistical challenges and on their roads you’ve got to use motorcycles,” says Joe Belliveau who is the executive director of the organization’s Canadian chapter...




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        • #19
          WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
          AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
          Week 32: 3 - 9 August 2020
          Data as reported by: 17:00; 9 August 2020

          ...
          Measles
          Democratic Republic
          of the Congo


          380 143 Cases
          6 999 Deaths
          1.8% CFR


          EVENT DESCRIPTION

          The long-standing measles outbreak in Democratic Republic of the
          Congo continues to show a declining trend, which started towards the
          end of 2019, when there was a decrease in the number of cases from
          week 49 of 2019 (week ending 7 December 2019) to week 6 of 2020
          (week ending 8 February 2020). There was an increase between weeks
          7 to 11 (weeks ending 15 February 2020 to 14 March 2020), and a
          peak in week 13 (week ending 28 March 2020). This was followed by
          a decrease to week 30 (week ending 25 July 2020). In week 30, a total
          of 413 suspected cases were reported, with five deaths (case fatality
          ratio 1.2%). These cases were reported from the 95 most affected health
          zones.

          As of 26 July 2020, a total of 380 143 cases have been reported, with
          6 999 deaths (case fatality ratio 1.8%). All 26 provinces of the country
          have been affected by the outbreak. The provinces that reported the most
          cases in week 30 were Sankuru (110 cases), Kasai (36 cases), South
          Ubangi (34 cases), Kasai Oriental (33 cases) and Tanganikya (21 cases).
          However, no new health zones in these provinces have reported cases
          since week 29 of 2020 (week ending 18 July 2020). From weeks 1 to 30
          of 2020, a total of 68 626 suspected cases have been reported, with 968
          deaths (case fatality ratio 1.4%).

          Between weeks 1 to 30 of 2020, a total of 3 306 laboratory samples have
          been received, of which 1 317 (40%) were IgM positive for measles, and
          702 (21%) were IgM positive for rubella. Among children positive for
          rubella, 16% were aged more than 14 years.

          The under five-year age group remains the most affected across the
          country, with the proportion of cases in this age group varying from
          27.6% to 34.9% since the start of 2020. Where vaccination status is
          known, 32% of cases had been vaccinated, 6% were not vaccinated and
          status was unknown in 62%.

          Reactive measles vaccination campaigns in 2019 and 2020 have reached
          more than 6.4 million children aged between 6-59 months. Partial
          results from 121 health zones targeted during 2020 show that more than
          1.2 million children have been vaccinated.

          PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

          The measles action plan has been validated and shared with all
          stakeholders, along with evaluation of the implementation of the
          operational plan for 121 health zones.

          Surveillance information is regularly shared with the Department
          of Health, WHO and other partners, and consultants have been
          deployed in hotspots.

          Laboratory samples continue to be collected and transported, with
          results shared with stakeholders.

          There is continued support for strengthening the quality of paediatric
          care and intensification of awareness around the availability
          of free healthcare in those health zones that have received case
          management kits and where particular partners are involved.

          Risk communication and social mobilization activities with
          key messages and updates on the measles situation are being
          implemented in selected urban and rural health areas, with the
          support of the WHO sub-coordination team in Maindombe, along
          with reinforcement of community relays in health zones that are
          not reporting.

          The reactive vaccination campaign has been implemented and
          evaluated in 121 health zones, reaching 111.8% of children between
          6-59 months and 99% of children aged 1-9 years; leaving a total of
          72 640 children requiring vaccination (64 432 aged 6-11 months
          and 8 208 over 12 months).

          UNICEF is distributing case management kits, as is WHO, with
          two boats provided to Maindombe sub-coordination in order to
          complete immunization activities.

          A number of partners are involved in the response, with funding
          originating from GAVI, DFID, WHO, ODHA, UNICEF and USAID
          among others; surveillance supported by WHO, MSF, Africa CDC,
          ALIMA, and CAFID among others; case management is supported
          by ALIMA, MSF, WHO, and UNICEF among others, most of whom
          also support the immunization response.

          Routine vaccine activities are being supported by WHO and UNICEF.

          SITUATION INTERPRETATION

          The decline in the number of cases of measles in Democratic Republic
          of the Congo is welcomed and points to the efficacy of the reactive
          vaccination campaigns that have been ongoing through the past two
          years. However, there are still many challenges that must be addressed
          if cases are to remain low. The COVID-19 outbreak is preventing
          routine response teams from being deployed to affected areas, which
          are relying on teleworking teams. Coordination requires repurposing
          to a multisectoral approach and shortcomings in communication for
          community involvement have been identified. Certain hospitals still
          struggle with case management in complicated measles cases and poor
          accessibility hampers case management in hard-to-reach areas, shown
          by persistent high case fatality ratios in certain health zones. The effects
          of the COVID-19 outbreak are potentially hampering routine vaccination
          activities, complicated by persistent rumours around a vaccination
          campaign against COVID-19 in some provinces, which require
          community engagement and management. National and local authorities
          and partners need to urgently address these challenges in order to
          maintain the momentum of the reactive vaccination campaigns, while
          at the same time ensuring that routine vaccination programmes remain
          in operation, perhaps utilizing the COVID-19 response infrastructure in
          order to achieve this.

          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
          -Nelson Mandela

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          • #20
            Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/...134643219.html

            DRC says deadly measles epidemic 'no longer exists' in country

            African nation declares the 25-month outbreak that killed more than 7,000 children aged under five is over.
            5 hours ago

            The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared the end of a 25-month outbreak of measles that claimed the lives of more than 7,000 children aged under five.

            The outbreak was countered by vaccination on a massive scale, in which millions of children and infants were immunised.

            "For the past month, we are able to say that this epidemic has been eliminated from across our territory," Health Minister Eteni Longondo told a news conference on Tuesday.

            "We can say that measles [in the DRC] no longer exists."...

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