The cholera epidemic has gained ground in the DRC, and has reached the capital. More than 500 people lost their lives and 18,000 were infected.
The toll is growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The cholera epidemic in this state, which is one of the poorest in the world, has affected nearly 18,000 people and killed 517 others, according to data transmitted this Friday by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“It’s a very bad year,” said Dominique Legros, in charge of cholera at the UN agency, quoted by AFP. In fact, the 18,000 infections correspond to almost all of the cases reported during the whole of last year.
13 cases in Kinshasa
Cholera is endemic in the DRC, but it usually remains confined to the east of the country. But this time, the disease has gained ground to the west, along the Congo River. The capital Kinshasa has been reached and has recorded 13 cases and 2 deaths since August 13.
“It is very worrying because it affects places where the population is not immune and where health personnel are not used to cholera,” he explained, adding that in these areas, the rates of mortality were particularly high.
The WHO has sent equipment and experts on site. She announced the launch of a vaccination campaign for 300,000 people residing in the most at-risk areas of the capital, in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic. The targeted inhabitants will receive the two doses necessary for immunization (the first dose from September 22 to 25 and the second from October 6 to 9).
“The objective is to try to contain the epidemic and avoid having a situation similar to the one we had 5 years ago,” said the UN official. In 2011, the epidemic had lasted two years; more than 2,200 people had been infected in Kinshasa and 88 others had lost their lives. Nationally, there were more than 21,750 cases and 424 deaths.
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