Measles kills 300 in Congo

The outbreak of measles in the copper-mining Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the worst since 2011, according to the humanitarian organization Doctors without Borders (MSF, Medecins Sans Frontiers), which conducts vaccination campaigns in remote areas.

"Almost 320 people died," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement. "Dozens of others may have succumbed to the illness but they don't figure in official records," the statement added.

The measles epidemic in the province of Katanga "is only worsening and gaining ground", the UN warned.

Mortality rates can rise to 20 percent

The highly contagious virus can lead to serious complications, like encephalitis, blindness and severe respiratory infections. The disease can easily be countered by a vaccine. Mortality rates are low in developed countries, but can rise to 20 percent in poorer countries, according to Doctors Without Borders.

The United Nations and medical charities estimated that more than 2.4 million dollars (2.2 million euros) is needed to complete vaccinations and provide essential care.

Apart from the costs, other obstacles have to be confronted to contain the measles epidemic. These include the presence of armed groups, the isolation of some regions that makes it hard to conserve vaccines properly, and the refusal of some parents to allow their children to be vaccinated due to religious and cultural traditions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that progress towards wiping out measles had stalled worldwide due to poor vaccination coverage.

das/sgb (AFP, Reuters)