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

    Source: https://mobile.nation.co.ke/news/afr...87z/index.html

    2 Hours Ago
    Hundred children die in DR Congo measles outbreak
    KINSHASA

    More than a hundred children in Democratic Republic of Congo have died of measles since the start of the year, an outbreak that has added to deadly epidemics of cholera and Ebola, the UN said on Wednesday.

    Health officials in the southeast provinces of Lualaba and Lomami recorded 7,175 cases of measles in January, "at least 137 of which were fatal," the UN's MONUSCO peacekeeping mission said.

    More than 80 percent of the fatalities were children aged under five, it said.

    Experts have blamed lack of vaccination, poor medical facilities and malnutrition among the young.



  • #2
    Source: http://outbreaknewstoday.com/drc-mea...-update-67255/

    DRC: Measles up 700 percent, Ebola update
    by News Desk
    June 10, 2019
    By NewsDesk
    Measles

    Health officials with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) report since the beginning of 2019, a total of 87,000 suspected measles cases (1.8 % CFR) through May 18.

    This represents an increase of more than 700 percent, compared to the epidemiological situation for the same period in 2018.

    For the whole of 2018, the country had notified 65,098 suspected cases of measles, of which 2,908 cases were investigated, of which 961 were confirmed with a lethality of 1.3 percent.

    Vaccination rates in DRC is bad with less than half of all children being fully immunized...

    Comment


    • #3
      Source: https://www.africanews.com/2019/08/1...es-in-the-drc/
      Measles claims over 2500 lives in the DRC
      Eric Oteng with AFP 16 hours ago
      Democratic Republic Of Congo

      A measles epidemic has caused more than 2,700 deaths between January and early August in the DRC, killing more people in seven months than Ebola in one year, M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF) reported in a tweet read on Saturday.

      ?The measles epidemic declared on June 10 is the deadliest that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has known since 2011-2012 Between January and early August 2019, it infected more than 145,000 people and resulted in 2,758 deaths? , according to the MSF-DRC tweet dated Friday.

      ?Despite the magnitude of the measles epidemic in the DRC, there is an alarming lack of actors and funds.With $ 2.5 million mobilized out of the $ 8.9 million required for the response plan, the contrast with the urgency #Ebola, which attracts hundreds of millions of dollars, is striking, ?adds the humanitarian medical organization...

      Comment


      • #4
        Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 37: 9 - 15 September 2019
        ...
        Measles Democratic Republic of the Congo


        179 477 Cases

        3 559 Deaths

        2.0% CFR

        EVENT DESCRIPTION

        The measles outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues
        to evolve with an increasing trend in the number of cases in recent
        weeks and a geographical spread of cases to new areas. Since our
        last report on 4 August 2019 (Weekly Bulletin 31), 72 607 additional
        suspected cases and 1 744 additional deaths have been reported
        across the country and there are 29 newly affected health zones.

        Since the beginning of the year, there have been two peaks in the
        case incidence, during weeks 17 and 30. Following a decline in case
        numbers during week 31, the weekly incidence has been gradually
        increasing with 7 286 suspected cases, including 141 deaths (CFR
        1.9%) reported during week 35 (week ending 1 September 2019)
        compared to an average weekly incidence of 6 403 cases over the
        preceding four weeks (weeks 31 to 34). Twenty-four out of 26
        provinces reported cases during week 35, with most of the cases
        originating from the provinces of Kwilu (1 142), Kasai (869), Kasai
        central (650), and Kinshasa (603), together accounting for 45% of
        the cases.

        From 1 January to 1 September 2019, a total of 179 477 suspected
        measles cases including 3 559 deaths (CFR 2.0%) have been
        reported from 484 (93%) out of 519 health zones across all 26
        provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak
        has been laboratory confirmed in 188 (36%) health zones. Of 4 388
        cases sampled, 1 810 tested IgM-positive for measles virus infection
        at the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa.

        Among these laboratory-confirmed cases, 63% had not been
        previously vaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Children
        less than five years old are the most affected, accounting for 76% of
        all suspected cases and 88% of measles-associated deaths.

        The provinces of Tshopo (32 832), Kasai (29 476), Haut-Lomami
        (14 632) and South-Kivu (9 870) account for 48% of the cumulative
        cases reported since the beginning of 2019. Densely populated
        urban areas in the capital city Kinshasa are also affected, with 5 608
        suspected cases reported across all 35 health zones of the city. Two
        of the provinces, North-Kivu and Ituri, are concomitantly affected
        by the ongoing Ebola outbreak. These provinces reported 3 016
        cases (CFR 0.3%) and 7 765 cases (CFR 0.7%), respectively since
        the beginning of 2019. The weekly incidence has been on a gradual
        increase in both provinces, with averages of 175 cases (North-Kivu)
        and 297 cases (Ituri) per week reported in the past three weeks.

        Between 19 and 23 April 2018, a responsive vaccination campaign
        was conducted in 63 health zones prioritised based on their
        epidemiological situation. The weekly case incidence in these health
        zones has been on a steady decline since week 17.

        PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

        A National Measles Coordination Committee has been
        established at Ministry level as part of incident management
        structure.

        On 10 September 2019, a third advocacy meeting with donors
        and NGOs was held in order to mobilize additional funds for
        the response.

        With support from WHO, and using Measles and Rubella
        Initiative (MRI) funds, a responsive vaccination campaign was
        conducted from 26 to 30 August 2019 in 328 health areas of 28
        out of 35 health zones in Kinshasa.

        M?decins Sans Fronti?res has been supporting case management and
        vaccination interventions since the beginning of the year in 28 health zones.

        UNICEF is supporting the preparation of a vaccination campaign in five health
        zones in Central Kasai.

        SITUATION INTERPRETATION

        The massive resurgence of measles in Democratic Republic of the Congo is likely
        due to an accumulation of measles-susceptible children which were not vaccinated
        against the virus due to suboptimal routine immunization coverage and inadequate
        implementation of supplementary immunization activities (SIA). Furthermore, the
        under-performance of case-based surveillance has impaired rapid detection of
        suspected measles cases, which is necessary to guide timely and effective outbreak
        response interventions. To achieve the regional goal towards measles elimination,
        the country should also accelerate the process of implementing the second dose of
        the measles vaccine (MCV2), strengthen routine immunization and SIA efforts as well
        as improve monitoring indicators for case-based surveillance.

        The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 70 events in the region. This week's edition covers key new and ongoing events, including: Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Measles outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo Lassa fever outbreak in Liberia Humanitarian crisis in South Sudan

        "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

        Comment


        • #5
          Source: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/a...this-year.html

          Measles outbreak has killed more than 4,000 in Congo this year, UNICEF says
          By Carley PeteschThe Associated Press
          Wed., Oct. 9, 2019

          DAKAR, Senegal—More than 4,000 people have died in Congo this year in the world’s largest measles outbreak, the United Nations children’s agency said Wednesday.

          The Central African nation is also battling an Ebola outbreak that has killed about half that number since August 2018.

          Since January, more than 200,000 cases of measles have been reported across Congo, UNICEF said. More than 140,000 involve children under 5, who also make up nearly 90 per cent of deaths.

          “We’re facing this alarming situation because millions of Congolese children miss out on routine immunization and lack access to health care when they fall sick,” said the UNICEF country representative, Edouard Beigbeder. “On top of that, a weak health system, insecurity, community mistrust of vaccines and vaccinators and logistical challenges all contribute to a huge number of unvaccinated children at risk of contracting the disease.”

          Health officials are facing many of the same challenges in the Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that has killed more than 2,000 people. Multiple armed groups have been fighting over the mineral-rich land for decades and threatening residents. The insecurity has led to mistrust of authorities, including health workers...

          Comment


          • #6



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            Translation Google


            More than 400 deaths out of 650 measles cases reported in Kwango province

            By TopCongo FM 88.4 Useful Frequency October 24, 2019 91 0 2 Minutes Read

            "All 14 health zones in Kwango province are affected. The disease also affects adults. We continue to advocate for a mass vaccination campaign against measles, especially in border health zones with Angola. There, one records daily new cases and deaths are reported " , explains, on TOP CONGO FM, the president of the consultation framework of the civil society of Kwango. In total, he says, more than 650 cases and more than 421 deaths since October 14 to this day.

            For Lucien Lufutu, the epidemiological situation is worrying. "We exchanged with the authorities. We, the civil society, had gone with the provincial minister of health in Popokabaka. But so far, the measles vaccine is not available in sufficient quantities. We invite government authorities to see how to respond to Kwango measles. "

            The provincial health minister confirms the facts.

            "We are in an epidemic. Especially in Kenge Health Zone. Only the Popokabaka health zone has vaccinated against measles with the support of the World Health Organization, but in the other 13, the response has not yet been organized due to lack of logistics, " he said. TOP CONGO FM, Dr. Laman Ngafula.

            She added that thanks to routine immunization activities, the children were able to be cared for.

            "What you have to do is initiate a mass vaccination campaign. We are asking partners to help us, " she concluded.




            "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

            Comment


            • #7
              Source: http://outbreaknewstoday.com/dr-cong...to-date-38239/

              DR Congo measles epidemic continues rise: Nearly 223K cases to date
              by News Desk
              November 4, 2019

              Approximately 12,000 additional measles cases have been reported in the worlds largest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the past two weeks.
              Image/CDC

              Through October 20, officials report 222,939 measles cases, up from 209,211 cases on Oct. 6. In addition, the measles fatalities have risen to 4,435, more than double the deaths reported in the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak (2185)...

              Comment


              • #8
                WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
                Week 45: 4 November – 10 November 2019
                Data as reported by: 17:00; 10 November 2019
                ...
                Measles Democratic Republic of the Congo

                233 337 Cases
                4 723 Deaths
                2% CFR

                EVENT DESCRIPTION

                Cases of measles continue to be reported across all 26 provinces
                of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, five months after the
                outbreak’s official declaration by the Ministry of Public Health in
                June 2019. After the last peak observed in case incidence in week
                39 (week ending 27 September 2019), with more than 6 900 cases
                recorded, there has been a fluctuating trend from week 40 to week
                43 of 2019. Since our last report on 15 September 2019 (Weekly
                Bulletin 37), 53 860 additional suspected cases and 1 164 additional
                deaths have been reported, with 42 more health zones declared in
                epidemic phase.

                In week 43 (week ending 27 October 2019), 7 421 suspected cases
                and 146 deaths were reported, with 4 468 cases (60%) reported from
                five provinces, namely Mai-ndombe (1 377), Kwilu (1 194), SouthKivu (699), Kongo Central (696) and Ecuador (502). The highest
                case fatality ratios were recorded in Sankuru (16.7%), North-Ubangi
                (12.5%), Bas-Uele (4.6%), Haut-Lomami (4.4%), Tshuapa (3.9%)
                and Kasai Central (3.2%).

                From 1 January to 27 October 2019, a cumulative total of 233 337
                suspected measles cases with 4 723 deaths (CFR 2%) have been
                reported. A total of 230 (44%) out of 519 health zones across the
                26 provinces of the country are in epidemic phase, with 16 health
                zones newly affected between week 40 and week 42 (week ending
                20 October 2019), and no newly affected health zone in week 43.
                Cases continue to be reported from Ituri and North-Kivu provinces,
                concomitantly affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak, with 9 809
                cases (CFR 0.6%) and 4 777 cases (CFR 0.3%) reported respectively,
                between January and October 2019.

                PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                The government continues to lead the management of
                the outbreak through the National Measles Coordination
                Committee.

                WHO continues to coordinate partners supporting the
                government, through organizing regular coordination meetings
                with all partners involved in the outbreak response.

                The follow-up measles vaccination campaign that started on
                30 October 2019 in 7 provinces, namely, Lomami, Tanganyika,
                Sankuru, Kasai, Ituri, North-Ubangi and Tshopo is ongoing.
                Preliminary results of the post-campaign evaluation survey
                revealed that, of the targeted 4 493 694 children aged 6 to 59
                months, 2 134 516 (47.5%) have been vaccinated.

                Alterations have been made to the planning of the upcoming
                campaigns with the campaign originally planned for February
                2020 now being conducted in December 2019.

                Microplanning for the second follow-up campaign that will be
                conducted at the end of November 2019 is ongoing.
                Go to overview Go to map of the outbreaks

                The systematic investigation of new cases, and sample collection and shipment
                to the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa are ongoing
                in the affected health zones.

                Since the beginning of 2019, 164 health zones have already benefited from
                immunization campaigns. Advocacy meetings with donors to mobilize funds for
                the implementation of vaccination campaigns in health areas that have not yet
                been covered by vaccination are ongoing.

                SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                Although tremendous efforts are being made to mitigate the current outbreak of
                measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there are still some challenges on
                the ground that are preventing the response from being fully effective. For instance,
                some affected health zones in the Eastern part of the country remain inaccessible
                due to armed conflicts and insecurity and available funds to conduct vaccination
                campaigns in all affected health zones are insufficient. There is an urgent need to
                address the challenges faced during the implementation of the response activities in
                order to control this outbreak of measles.



                The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 66 events in the region. This week's edition covers key new and ongoing events, including: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo Humanitarian crisis in South Sudan Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso.
                "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

                Comment


                • #9
                  Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50506743

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Source: http://outbreaknewstoday.com/measles...-expand-35116/

                    Measles epidemic in DRC continues to expand
                    by News Desk
                    December 9, 2019

                    In a follow-up on the world’s largest measles outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) measles outbreak continues to grow and expand.
                    Image/geralt

                    Since the beginning of the year through Dec. 2, a total of 269,079 suspected measles cases, including 5,430 deaths (CFR 2%) have been reported from all 26 provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

                    Since Nov. 11, 53 new health zones have confirmed epidemics...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                      AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
                      Week 49: 2 - 8 December 2019
                      Data as reported by: 17:00; 8 December 2019
                      ...
                      Measles Democratic Republic of the Congo

                      269 079 Cases
                      5 430 Deaths
                      2.0% CFR


                      EVENT DESCRIPTION

                      The protracted measles outbreak in Democratic Republic of
                      the Congo continues to expand, with increasing trends in
                      weekly incidence cases since week 27, when a short decline
                      was observed over a period of 10 weeks. Since our last report
                      on 11 November 2019 (Weekly Bulletin 45), 35 742 additional
                      suspected measles cases and 707 additional deaths have been
                      reported across the country, including in 53 new health zones
                      with confirmed epidemics. In week 47 (week ending 24 November
                      2019), a total of 7 230 suspected measles cases, including 136
                      deaths (case fatality ratio 1.9%) were reported, compared to
                      8 660 cases with 152 deaths reported in week 46. Two new
                      health zones in Haut-Uele province, Isiro and Niangara, attained
                      epidemic threshold during the reporting week. The most affected
                      provinces were Mai-Ndombe (n=1431), Equateur (n=982), Kwilu
                      (n=919) and South-Kivu (n=714), which contributed to 56% of
                      all cases reported during the week. Mortality was highest in the
                      provinces of Mai-Ndombe (n=44, CFR: 3%), Equateur (n=33,
                      CFR 3%) and Bas-Uele (n=30, CFR: 3%), accounting for about
                      80% of all deaths during the reporting week.

                      From 1 January to 2 December 2019, a total of 269 079
                      suspected measles cases, including 5 430 deaths (CFR 2%) have
                      been reported from all 26 provinces in Democratic Republic of
                      the Congo. The outbreak has been laboratory confirmed in 241
                      (46%) health zones. The provinces of Kasai (35 195), Tshopo
                      (33 419), Kwili (21 366) and Mai-Ndombe (20 250) account
                      for 41% of the cumulative cases reported since the beginning
                      of 2019. Cases continue to be reported from Ituri and NorthKivu provinces, which are concomitantly affected by the ongoing
                      Ebola outbreak, with 10 845 cases (CFR 0.6%) and 5 743 cases
                      (CFR 0.3%) reported respectively, since the beginning of the
                      year.

                      To date, vaccination campaigns have been conducted in 165
                      (31.8%) of the 519 health zones and a total of 5 277 827 children
                      were vaccinated. A decreasing trend in the weekly case incidence
                      has been observed in vaccinated areas.

                      PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                      The National Steering Committee sat on 3 December 2019 to
                      review, strategize and prepare for a vaccination campaign in
                      other provinces.

                      From 25 to 29 November 2019, WHO supported vaccination
                      campaigns in 14 hotspot and priority areas in six provinces.

                      M?decins Sans Fronti?res supported the vaccination of
                      children aged 6-59 months in 9 out of 27 health areas of
                      the Koshibanda Health Zone. Overall 16 294 children were
                      vaccinated, representing a vaccination coverage of 109%.

                      M?decins Sans Fronti?res supported case management for
                      1 847 simple cases of measles and 91 cases of measles with
                      complications, in 9 out of 27 health areas in Koshibanda

                      The measles case management protocol has been
                      disseminated to improve case management and reduce
                      mortality.

                      The Emergency Medical Team has been deployed to hotspot
                      health zones since 27 December 2019 with support from
                      WHO.

                      WHO’s response interventions focusing on case management are carried
                      out jointly with other partners including M?decins Sans Fronti?res, Actions
                      Contre la Faim and M?decins du Monde.

                      Risk communication and community mobilization using various channels
                      such as religious fora, community radio stations, schools and NonGovernmental Organisations, have been strengthened to improve uptake of
                      the vaccination campaigns.

                      SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                      The measles outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the world’s
                      largest and most severe measles epidemic. This outbreak has already caused more
                      deaths compared to the ongoing EVD outbreak. Sub-optimal routine immunization
                      coverages and high levels of malnutrition have contributed to the rapid expansion of
                      the measles epidemic and its associated high mortality rates. Furthermore, the underperformance of case-based surveillance has impaired rapid detection of suspected
                      measles cases, which is necessary to guide timely and effective outbreak response
                      interventions. In order to put an end to this outbreak, there is a need to strengthen
                      routine and reactive immunization activities, measles case-based surveillance and
                      case management.

                      "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

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Source: http://outbreaknewstoday.com/drc-mea...k-cases-52038/


                        DRC measles outbreak grows to 280K cases
                        by News Desk
                        December 16, 2019

                        UN health officials reported nearly an additional 10,000 measles cases in week 48 this year, bringing the outbreak total to 280,677, the most cases reported in any single country this year.

                        During this week, most cases were reported from the provinces of Mai-ndombe (1459), Kwilu (1198), Tshuapa (1152) et Equateur (982).

                        In addition, the measles death toll has risen to 5,604, an increase in about 175 in one week...

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Source: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/con...ths-reach-5700

                          Saturday, 28 December 2019
                          Congo measles deaths reach 5700

                          The measles epidemic in Democratic Republic of the Congo is still several steps ahead of the response, humanitarian group MSF says.

                          Since January 2019, more than 288,000 people have contracted measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and more than 5,700 have died from the disease, in the largest measles epidemic in the world today and the largest recorded in DRC for decades.

                          "Efforts have been made at national level, but more resources must be quickly committed and targeted to areas that are still suffering from this disease in order to stop this outbreak," Medi..

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/democra...break-top-6000

                            Deaths from Democratic Republic of the Congo measles outbreak top 6000
                            Report from World Health Organization
                            Published on 07 Jan 2020

                            Kinshasa, 7 January 2020 - With the death toll from the world's worst measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) surpassing 6000, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for more funding to stop the outbreak.

                            Under the leadership of the DRC Ministry of Health, WHO, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and other partner aid agencies vaccinated more than 18 million children under five across the country in 2019. However, in some areas, routine vaccination coverage remains low and 25% of the reported measles cases are in children over the age of five, who are the most vulnerable.

                            "We are doing our utmost to bring this epidemic under control. Yet to be truly successful we must ensure that no child faces the unnecessary risk of death from a disease that is easily preventable by a vaccine. We urge our donor partners to urgently step up their assistance," said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

                            Since the start of 2019, around 310 000 suspected measles cases have been reported. The epidemic has been aggravated by low vaccination coverage among vulnerable communities, malnutrition, weak public health systems, outbreaks of other epidemic-prone diseases, difficult access by vulnerable populations to health care and insecurity that has hampered response in some areas...

                            Comment


                            • #15

                              WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                              AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
                              Week 2: 6 – 12 January 2020
                              Data as reported by: 17:00; 12 January 2020
                              ...

                              Measles Democratic Republic of the Congo
                              311 471 Cases
                              6 045 Deaths
                              1.9% CFR


                              EVENT DESCRIPTION

                              The measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
                              continues to evolve. Since our last report on 8 December 2019
                              (Weekly Bulletin 49), 42 392 additional suspected cases and 615
                              additional deaths have been reported across the country. While
                              the overall disease incidence trend has started declining in the
                              past weeks, the outbreak continues to expand, with nine additional
                              affected health zones in the last four weeks (week 49 to 52) of 2019.
                              From week 49 to week 52 of 2019 (week ending 29 December 2019),
                              the majority (71%) of cases were reported from Equateur (n=4
                              272), Tshuapa (n=4 218), Maindombe (n=2 973), Bas-Uele (n=2
                              969), Kongo Central (n=2 352), Kwilu (n=2 467) and Mongala (n=2
                              237) provinces. The highest case fatality ratios were recorded in
                              Tshopo (3.6%), Maindombe (3.2%), and Tshuapa (2%) provinces.
                              In week 52 of 2019, 5 792 suspected cases including 109 deaths
                              were reported (case fatality ratio 1.9%), and two new health zones
                              entered into epidemic phase, namely, Minova in South-Kivu province
                              and Katuba in Haut-Katanga province.

                              Between 1 January and 29 December 2019, a cumulative total of 311
                              471 suspected measles cases with 6 045 deaths (case fatality ratio
                              1.9%) have been recorded from 253 of 519 (48.7%) health zones
                              across the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
                              Of these 311 471 cases, 2 682 have been laboratory-confirmed
                              (IgM-positive) for measles infection, of which 28% are aged 5 years
                              and above and 63% are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination
                              status.

                              Cases of measles continue to be reported from Ituri, North-Kivu
                              and South-Kivu provinces, which are concomitantly affected by the
                              ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak. Between 1 January and 29
                              December 2019, these provinces have reported 11 043 cases (case
                              fatality ratio 0.6%), 7 488 cases (case fatality ratio 0.3%), and 3 537
                              cases (case fatality ratio 1.2%), respectively.

                              PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                              The National Measles Coordination Committee continues to
                              coordinate the response to the measles outbreak across the
                              country, working with the various sub-committees and supported
                              by WHO and partners.

                              The revised measles response plan, that covers the period January
                              to June 2020, has been validated on 7 January 2020 during the
                              weekly meeting of the Measles Coordination Committee.

                              A National Epidemiologic Data Analysis Cell has been put in place
                              with the support of WHO, UNICEF and CDC and the Cell activities
                              have been launched on 7 January 2020.

                              To date, the vaccine response has been organized in 179/253
                              (71%) health zones and a total of 5 789 008 children aged 6 to
                              59 months have been vaccinated.

                              WHO, M?decins Sans Fronti?res, Action Contre la Faim,
                              M?decins du Monde and other partners continue to support case
                              management.

                              The revised Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response
                              (IDSR) guideline has been approved by the Ministry of Public
                              Health and partners. It includes, inter alia, additional information
                              relating to community-based surveillance and a line list canvas
                              that should be used during a measles outbreak.

                              Multidisciplinary teams are being deployed in the 30 priority
                              health zones to support the response, with the financial and
                              technical support of the Humanitarian Fund, ECHO and WHO.
                              Each team deployed in the priority health zone is made up of
                              three experts in charge of surveillance, case management and
                              communication respectively.

                              SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                              The nationwide measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the
                              Congo continues to evolve. Although the weekly case incidence has
                              been on a decreasing trend following the implementation of vaccination
                              campaigns in affected health zones, the total number of cases and deaths
                              continue to increase with a cumulative total of over 6 000 deaths reported
                              as of the last week of December 2019. The continuous emergence of
                              cases is likely a result of persisting gaps in the vaccination coverage.
                              Indeed, the majority of confirmed cases are unvaccinated and children
                              aged five years and above have not been targeted during the reactive
                              mass vaccination campaigns, although they represent more than 25%
                              of the notified cases. This suggests that the ongoing response activities
                              need to be scaled-up accordingly, with comprehensive coverage, to
                              interrupt further propagation of the outbreak. Moreover, a funding gap
                              of over US$ 40 million needs to be filled urgently, in order to extend the
                              vaccination to children over 5 years old and to reinforce other outbreak
                              response activities beyond vaccination.

                              "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

                              Comment

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