Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - According to health officials, the most virulent form of polio, continues to seriously affect the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So far 63 cases have been recorded with a sharp increase in the last two months. The Western Kasai province, near the border with Angola, is where the highest number of infections were found, with some 50 cases of paralysis. According to the latest WHO estimates, in the neighboring Republic of Congo, the same disease has killed 169 people and paralysed 409. Although polio usually strikes children under five, in both countries the majority of infections are among adults. In the DRC vaccination campaigns were only launched in the mid-1980s, and most of those over 30 have not been immunized until now. According to reports from UNICEF's representative in the country, UNICEF will provide 3.7 million vaccines for Bas Congo and Kasai provinces in December, in addition to the 41.9 million that have already been administered. The present outbreak is alarming, but it is important to stay calm, reported the local Minister for Health. Citizens must learn to use basic hygiene measures, such as washing hands and keeping bathrooms clean. Since there were no cases of polio between 2001 and 2005 in the DRC, the disease was considered eradicated. The WHO had hoped to meet its objective of global eradication by this year. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 29/11/2010)
