Measles Epidemic Spreading in Central Africa

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.

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.