National campaign against measles launched

A national campaign against measles undertaken by the Ministry of Health and supported by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) was launched on Wednesday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UNICEF reported. The campaign, which will take place in 73 health zones across the country, targeting some 2.5 million children aged nine months to five years, will conclude on 21 Sunday October. DRC Minister of Health Mashako Mamba presided over an official launch ceremony in Tshilenge, near Mbuji-Mayi in Kasai Oriental province, with representatives of the DRC government, the diplomatic corps and various UN agencies also in attendance. Given the special needs of conducting a campaign against measles, involving a live vaccine that is administered intravenously, nurses across the country were recruited and trained to ensure safe injections and hygienic conditions of all medical supplies used. Efforts were also made to further strengthen capacities in maintenance of the cold chain, which involves keeping the measles vaccine refrigerated at all times, during transportation and in storage. UNICEF contributed US $2.5 million for the organisation of this campaign, while WHO lent both logistical and financial support. Although measles, also called rubeola, is best known for its typical skin rash, it is, however, primarily a respiratory infection. The first symptoms are irritability, runny nose, eyes that are red and sensitive to light, hacking cough, and a fever of up to 40.6 C/105 F. The length of these early symptoms is usually three or four days before a rash appears. Measles can lead to many different complications: croup, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, myocarditis, hepatitis, and encephalitis. Measles can also make the body more susceptible to ear infections or pneumonias caused by bacteria. Symptoms and complications of measles are usually most severe in adults. A highly contagious disease, about 90 percent of nonimmunised persons will develop measles if they live in the same house as someone who has the disease. The measles virus spreads in fluid from the nose or mouth, and in airborne droplets. It can be fatal if left untreated.