The East African
Monday April 12 2021
A toddler gets a measles vaccine at a centre in Temba, near Seke Banza, DR Congo. PHOTO | AFP
Summary
Measles is a viral disease spread by coughing, sneezing or through direct contact with nasal or laryngeal secretions.
Children with the disease can face severe complications, as measles ‘erases’ their immune memory, putting their health and lives at risk for years to come.
An inexpensive and 85 per cent efficient vaccine exists, which protects vaccinated people for decades.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo has witnessed an upsurge of measles with more than 13,000 cases reported since January this year.