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ITURI, Democratic Republic of the Congo / DAKAR / GENEVA / NEW YORK, 11 July 2019 – Health workers urgently launch a measles immunization campaign targeting 67,000 children in Ituri, north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region ravaged by armed conflict, which is also at the center of the second most deadly Ebola outbreak ever recorded.
At least 1,981 deaths from measles have been reported in the DRC this year, of which more than two-thirds are among children under five. As of June 23, nearly 115,000 suspected cases of measles had been reported, far more than the 65,000 recorded in 2018.
Ituri, one of the two provinces hit by the Ebola virus since the beginning of the epidemic almost a year ago (North Kivu), has recorded more than 5 400 cases and 50 deaths.
"The combined threat of Ebola and measles for the thousands of families living in overcrowded and unhealthy displacement camps is unprecedented," said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF's representative in the DRC. "We have a small window to prevent potentially huge loss of life."
The first targeted sites for measles immunization are four IDP camps in Bunia, Ituri, which have seen a mbadive influx of families uprooted by the fighting in recent weeks. The boundary of a camp next to Bunia General Hospital is less than 100 meters from an Ebola treatment center. It is also located less than 3 km from the parts of Bunia where 5 cases of Ebola have been recorded since the beginning of the epidemic, including 2 during the last three weeks.
The Ebola outbreak means that the measles vaccination campaign must include additional measures to protect against infection and careful triage. Health workers should wear gowns to avoid contact with blood or other body fluids. Teams will include another health worker who will evaluate and refer suspected Ebola cases, check temperatures and supervise hand washing and other security measures.
An additional layer of complexity is that some of the early symptoms of Ebola – fever, redness around the eyes, diarrhea – are virtually indistinguishable from those of measles, malaria or cholera – all of which are prevalent. particularly in severely congested travel sites.
It is estimated that around 400,000 people are internally displaced in Ituri, the vast majority of whom are women and children. Many live in about 35 camps scattered throughout the province, in a territory virtually inaccessible due to insecurity. Fighting between various armed groups has damaged or destroyed up to half of all health facilities and schools in the province.
"The north-east of the DRC is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises to date. Whether it's measles, the Ebola virus or the reality of living in an IDP camp, children are at great risk. We must do everything in our power to protect them, "said Beigbeder.
Measles campaigns are also planned in the health zones of Tchomia and Nyankunde.
As of July 8, there were 2,428 Ebola cases, including 1,641 deaths. Nearly 30% of cases involve children.
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