DRC begins an intensive yellow fever vaccination drive

A yellow fever vaccination campaign is underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to contain an epidemic that has spread from neighbouring country Angola.

The campaign launched on July 20 will have as many as a million people vaccinated against the mosquito transmitted disease over the next 10 days.

The vaccinations will be administered in the capital Kinshasa and a nearby province.

“All the vaccines we have given out in Ndjili and Masina and today in Kisenso are the maximum doses for 10 years,” said Kisenso’s chief physician Dr Valatain Daye.

Last month, the country’s health minister declared a yellow fever epidemic. According to the World Health Organization, Congo had registered 1,798 suspected cases of yellow fever as of July 11, including 85 deaths believed caused by the disease.

“The only thing that can protect me against it is a vaccination. My yellow fever vaccine and my yellow card will help me everywhere I go. No one will be afraid of me. I will be welcomed by all,” said Claudy Pindi a Kinshasa resident.

There is no cure for Yellow fever which is transmitted by the aedes egypti mosquito and vaccination is highly recommended for preventing the disease. Symptoms include severe headache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.

The disease has claimed over 350 lives in Angola.

Reuters