KINSHASA, Dec 28 (NNN-IRIN) – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) yesterday launched a massive cholera vaccination campaign, targeting two million people aged one year and above, in three eastern provinces to halt an outbreak of the disease, according to health officials.
The campaign is being carried out in Haut-Lomami, South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces, the most affected areas by cholera since Aug, and will cover 13 health zones with about four million doses delivered by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control.
Around 3,600 health workers, including vaccinators and community mobilisers, have been deployed to carry out the campaign, which will run for six days.
Since the start of the year, the DRC has reported a total of 8,279 suspected cholera cases and 153 deaths, in 16 of the country’s 26 provinces.
“Cholera is a dangerous infection that can kill within hours, if untreated, but it is predictable and preventable. In addition to the vaccines, which are one of the effective measures against the disease, we are also providing clean water and reinforcing hygiene and sanitation, to prevent the outbreak from spreading further,” said WHO Officer in charge in the DRC, Amedee Prosper Djiguimde.
The ongoing vaccination is DRC’s second massive campaign this year. In Mar and July, more than 1.4 million people were vaccinated against cholera in the south-eastern Haut-Katanga province.
Cholera is transmitted through contaminated water or food. It causes severe diarrhea and dehydration that must be treated immediately to prevent death, which can occur in just a few hours, and to prevent large-scale spreading of the disease in a high-risk environment.
Disease surveillance, improved water, sanitation, and hygiene services, as well as, early detection, treatment and vaccines are crucial in preventing cholera and containing the spread of the infection. Coverage with a two-dose oral cholera vaccine provides up to five-year protection.– NNN-IRIN
