Authorities in DR Congo declare measles epidemic in Kasai-Oriental province

By Godfrey Olukya

KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have declared a measles epidemic in the central province of Kasai-Oriental, UN radio in the central African country said Wednesday.

Seven cases have so far been confirmed and 22 suspected cases have been identified in the Miabi health zone, according to Celestine Kadima Lufuluabo, the provincial health minister.

“Faced with this situation, the provincial government through its ministry in charge of health has declared from t​​​​​​​oday an epidemic of measles in the Mabi area," the minister said in a statement.

He asked parents to quickly take children with fever, diarrhea and rashes to the nearest health centers.

“I would like to assure our population that all measures have been taken to stem the epidemic as soon as possible.

“I have already sent a team from provincial health division to the affected zone to work along the local team there which is already taking care of the children with signs of measles to stop the spread of the disease,” he said.