The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is regularly affected by measles epidemics on its territory. But since mid-2018, there has been a dramatic increase in measles cases and deaths. In the first five months of 2019, more than 1,500 cases of measles-related deaths have been reported, approximately ¾ of the total number of deaths recorded throughout the year 2012 during the deadliest measles epidemic of this last decade. Given the current trends, this measles epidemic might become the deadliest one since its strong resurgence in DRC in 2011-2012. On June 10th, the Congolese Ministry of Health officially declared the measles epidemic in the country, stating that “measles cases had been confirmed in 83 health zones in 23 provinces of the country”.



Since the beginning of 2019, MSF teams vaccinated 361,079 children and provided medical care for 14,785 patients. MSF emergency and regular teams have relentlessly fought measles alongside local teams of the Ministry of Health in 10 provinces of the DRC (Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, Tshopo, Kasaï, Kasaï Central, Haut-Uélé and Ituri). MSF is also deploying additional teams in other affected health areas to combat the spread of the epidemic.



Today, in addition to the efforts already made in recent months, more resources and actors are needed. For MSF, a massive mobilization of national and international actors is needed, and a stable supply system for vaccines and medicines is urgently required in DRC to ensure vaccination and free treatment for all.



Measles mainly affects children under five. Its recurrence and impact on mortality and morbidity can be explained by several factors, including: low immunization coverage; irregular supply or even stock-outs of vaccines; limited logistical means that undermine the cold chain; a lack of inputs in some health facilities for the medical care of patients; weaknesses in case identification; lack of isolation of complicated cases; a weak surveillance system; or limited access to care due to financial or geographical barriers between villages and health facilities.