Congo Measles Outbreak Update: 20,000 Affected; Death Toll Rising

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The United Nations announced on Wednesday that an outbreak of measles has infected at least 20,000 and killed off more than 300 people in the province of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a report by Reuters, the measles outbreak is considered to be one of worst in the region since 2010 to 2011 as stated by the draft made by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

According to the UN agency, the current outbreak is turning for the worst is "gaining ground."

In order to control the spread of the infection, the UN will need $2.4 million worth of vaccines, according to The International Business Times.  The cost of measles vaccine in developed countries is only $1. The international humanitarian aid organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), reported that there were 267 death from measles from the start of the year through July among the 16,500 cases.

Although the organization began administering treatment and vaccines in the area since March, some cases may have gone unreported as the area is prone to measles outbreaks. According to Time, the outbreak in Congo is not surprising since the country has one of the lowest percentage of access to healthcare. They added that access to the region is difficult because of dirt roads and other areas that are not easily accessible by motor vehicles.

In the report by Reuters, the previous outbreak that started in 2010 and then peaked in 2011 had a death toll of nearly 1,100 people and infected more than 70,000 others.  

Measles is caused by a virus and is considered to be a highly contagious respiratory infection. According to Kid's Health, early signs and symptoms of measles infection include high fever, red eyes, cough and runny nose. The measles rash typically appears after 3 to 5 days after the onset of the primary symptoms. If not treated immediately, it can lead to complications such as encephalitis, diarrhea, dehydration, and respiratory infection.

The virus is spread through having contact with droplets or fluids infected with the virus such as the sneeze and cough of a measles patient. Young children are considered to be the most at-risk of being infected by the disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women or any person who have not been vaccinated are at risk as well.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), measles is one of the leading causes of death among children worldwide. However, measles is easily prevented by a vaccine.