DistantNews
Support us
🇨🇩 DR Congo /Health & Science

Over 2,000 measles cases among children in Punia territory

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Punia territory in the Maniema region of the Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing a measles outbreak, with over 2,089 cases reported since June.
  • Twenty-one children under five years old have died from the disease at the General Reference Hospital.
  • Health authorities are preparing an integrated vaccination campaign targeting children aged 6 months to 15 years to combat measles, rubella, and polio.

The territory of Punia in the Maniema province of the Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, reporting over 2,089 cases since June. The situation is dire, with 21 children under the age of five succumbing to the illness at the General Reference Hospital, according to Dr. Amisi Makutano, the hospital's director.

In response to the escalating crisis, Dr. Makutano is urging parents to avoid self-medication and has announced an upcoming integrated vaccination campaign. This initiative aims to immunize children aged six months to 15 years against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis. The campaign is designed to cover all age groups affected by the current outbreak and prevent further spread within communities.

We are currently monitoring information and instructions from our superiors, particularly from the DPS. A campaign is being prepared against measles, rubella, and polio. It is an integrated campaign that will target three diseases simultaneously.

— Dr. Amisi MakutanoDirector of the General Reference Hospital in Punia, explaining the planned vaccination campaign.

"We are currently monitoring information and instructions from our superiors, particularly from the DPS (Provincial Directorate of Health Services). A campaign is being prepared against measles, rubella, and polio. It is an integrated campaign that will target three diseases simultaneously," Dr. Makutano explained. He emphasized that this comprehensive approach is crucial for preventing the disease's propagation, bolstering mass vaccination efforts, and protecting vulnerable children in a context of precarious health conditions.

The outbreak highlights the ongoing challenges in public health within the region, particularly concerning access to healthcare and vaccination services for young children. The integrated campaign aims to address these vulnerabilities and curb the spread of these preventable diseases.

This is why we have taken into consideration children from 6 months to 15 years old who must receive this vaccination against measles, rubella, and polio at the same time.

— Dr. Amisi MakutanoDetailing the age range and scope of the integrated vaccination effort.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog