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WHO moves to tackle world’s largest measles outbreak in DRC

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WHO moves to tackle world’s largest measles outbreak in DRC

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has started a campaign targeting over 800,000 children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a bid to tackle the world’s largest outbreak of measles.

According to reports, WHO and the Congolese government aim to carry out the emergency programme across the country in slightly more than a week after a measles outbreak killed more than 3,500 people this year.

WHO say despite previous rounds of immunisations, the disease which has killed more Congolese people this year than Ebola, has spread to every part of the country.

The UN agency also added that a lack of routine access to vaccinations and healthcare has contributed to the problem.

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“The DRC is experiencing a dire situation because too many children were missed by routine immunisation,” said Dr Deo Nshimirimana, WHO representative to the DR Congo.

“The country now has large clusters of children who need to be vaccinated – WHO and partners are working with the health ministry to move as quickly as possible to reach them,” Dr. Nshimirimana added.

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