By Ollus Ndomu
Mbandaka, the provincial capital of Équateur Province, is currently facing a severe measles epidemic that shows no signs of abating.
Health authorities have reported a distressing toll of 87 lives lost to the disease in the past eight months, resulting in a fatality rate of 1.7%.
The Provincial Health Division in Équateur, encompassing 18 health zones, has documented a cumulative total of 3,282 measles cases.
The Bolomba zone stands out with a grim record of over 1,200 cases, prompting urgent action.
In response, health authorities have initiated a vaccination campaign against measles, which commenced on September 5th.
Équateur Province’s deputy governor, Dr. Taylor Nganzi Nkeka, inaugurated the campaign and urged parents to bring their children aged between 6 months and 5 years to the nearest health centers for vaccination.
It is essential to note that Équateur Province is not the sole region grappling with the measles epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Maniema, Ituri, and Kwilu provinces are also contending with the disease.
The nationwide toll is staggering, with over 148,000 measles cases recorded since January 2023.
📷: DRC Today
