Measles epidemic
is spreading in the Central Africa, endangering the lives of thousands of
children, the Medical Charity doctors without Borders warned.
Since
October 2012, the Charity has vaccinated more than 226,000 children in the
eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo.
The organisation has also treated nearly 13,000 Congolese for the effects of the disease.
The organisation has also treated nearly 13,000 Congolese for the effects of the disease.
Measles is
very contagious. In places where many children are malnourished and
vitamin-deficient, it kills 1 to 15% of those who don`t receive medical care, doctors
without borders estimated.
The eastern
Congo basin has serious shortages of medical workers and of drugs. While there
is no treatment for measles itself, antibiotics can save those who develop
pneumonia, meningitis or other secondary infections.
Measles can
also cause blindness by scarring the eyeball.
The outbreak
is taking place despite enormous success against the disease worldwide.
According to a study released earlier 2012, deaths from measles have dropped by
almost 75% since 2000.
Most of the
lives saved were in Africa and India. Measles shot are often cited as one of
the chief reasons that deaths of children under age five around the world have
fallen steadily.
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