Published Date: 2011-03-20 12:34:51
Subject: PRO/EAFR> Measles - DR Congo: (Maniema)
Archive Number: 20110320.220027
MEASLES - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: (MANIEMA)
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Date: Mon 14 Mar 2011
Source: Relief Web.com, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) report [edited]
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/EGUA-8F2SU5?OpenDocument&RSS20&RSS20=FS
More than 90 cases of measles were recently diagnosed in 3 health centers in northern Maniema province. Three people are reported to have died from the epidemic. According to the Provincial Health Minister, the territories so far affected are Kabambare, Kasongo and Kibombo.
Medical personnel from different organizations have been meeting to try and find ways to contain the disease. It has already reached alarming proportions, according to Marie Claire Diwampovesa Nganzi, a medical doctor specializing in epidemiology and Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) sub-office in Maniema. This, she said, can now be described as a measles epidemic on a wide scale, and requiring an immediate response from all relevant partners in the province.
The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), through its support project for the reinforcement of the health system -- known by the acronym PARSS -- has already started providing care to affected populations, while a team of the French NGO, Medecins sans Frontieres, is busy assessing the exact extent of the epidemic.
A joint team from the UN Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) regional office and UN agencies is preparing to visit the affected area to help contain the epidemic.
[Byline: Matthieu Ilunga]
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Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-EAFR
[A measles epidemic has been reported in Maniema province, located to the North of Katanga Province where cases have been reported since September 2010 (ProMED EAFR report 20110225.218869). Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) need to be initiated countrywide to contain the ongoing outbreaks and reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
A map showing the provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo can be seen athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo. The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the country is available athttp://healthmap.org/r/0v*R. - Mod.JFW]
See Also
Measles - Zambia: (Central) 20110301.219143Measles - DR Congo: (Katanga) vaccination 20110225.218869
Measles - Nigeria (02): (Plateau) 20110217.218331
Measles - Cote d'Ivoire: (Sud-Comoe) 20110215.218270
Measles - Nigeria: (Bauchi) 20110127.217665
2010
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Measles - Africa (39): DR Congo (South Kivu, Katanga) 20101202.215739
Measles - Africa (38): Angola (Moxico) 20101028.214600
Measles - Africa (37): Swaziland 20101024.214454
Measles - Africa (36): Zimbabwe 20101023.214413
Measles - Africa (35): Ethiopia 20101016.214179
Measles - Africa (34): Zambia 20101015.214175
Measles - Africa (31): Nigeria 20100825.211547
Measles - Africa (30): Malawi 20100816.211284
Measles - Africa (25) 20100712.209113
Measles - Africa (23) 20100619.208705
Measles - Africa (19) 20100524.207547
Measles - Africa (15): Mauritania 20100428.207022
Measles - Africa (13): South Africa 20100421.206879
Measles - Tanzania: (Mbeya) RFI 20100304.205931
Measles - Namibia (02): (Kunene) 20100204.205285
Measles - Botswana: update 20100117.204972
2009
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Measles, control activities - Africa: 2000-2008 20090925.202675
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