Measles outbreak: Death toll in Democratic Republic of Congo tops 6,000

[lolsee2]

Measles has killed nearly three times as many people in Congo than an Ebola outbreak in the country.

 

Around 310,000 cases of measles have been reported in Congo since the beginning of 2019

 

The death toll from a measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo has topped 6,000, the World Health Organisation has announced.

 

 

It has now called for more funds to save lives during the world's worst outbreak of the infectious disease.

 

Measles has killed nearly three times as many people in Congo than an Ebola outbreak in the country that has garnered far more international attention.

Meanwhile medics have come under regular attack from armed militias operating in the country.

Announcing a new appeal, the WHO said lack of funding remains a huge impediment to successfully curbing the outbreak.

 

At least 2,231 people have died of Ebola since August 2018

 

While $27.6m (£21m) has already has been raised to curb the measles epidemic, WHO said that $40m (£30.5m) is needed for a special six-month plan to vaccinate older children between the ages of six and 14.

A vaccine against measles has existed for decades but some 310,000 cases have been reported in Congo since the beginning of 2019.

 

Source: 

https://news.sky.com/story/measles-outbreak-death-toll-in-democratic-republic-of-congo-tops-6-000-11903428

 

[Guest]

Measles won't happen if they go for proper vaccination.

[mp68terr]

In some countries the difficulty is about people who don't want to get the vaccination, in Congo (and similar countries with a poor communication/road network) it's likely more a difficulty related to 'how to reach people', plus funding.