In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a devastating measles outbreak continues to take a heavy toll on the lives of children, the New York Times reports.
In the town of Bikoro, located in the northwest, the virus is wreaking havoc on young lives, with hundreds of children suffering from the illness. Last year alone, over 311,000 measles cases were reported in the country, resulting in approximately 6,000 deaths. While this year’s numbers have decreased, with 97,000 cases recorded, the fatality rate has risen, claiming over 2,100 lives to date.
One heartbreaking story is that of Olive, a 5-year-old girl from Ikoko Ipenge, a village about 28 miles from Bikoro. Olive tragically passed away from measles after being unable to receive timely medical care. Despite a long and arduous journey to a measles treatment center run by Doctors Without Borders, Olive’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She was one of two children who died that weekend at the center. Olive’s father, Werra Maulu Botey, could not bear to close her small wooden coffin, adjusting her head and smoothing her cloth as he prepared to bury her.
Olive’s story is just one of many. The measles virus has taken the lives of thousands of children across Congo, exacerbating the challenges faced by a health system overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis.
Measles is not only a problem in Congo, but has seen an alarming rise globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 20% increase in measles cases in 2023 compared to the previous year, with over 10 million cases worldwide and 107,000 deaths. In countries like the United States, outbreaks have been linked to vaccine hesitancy, while in Congo, a lack of access to healthcare and vaccines remains a key factor in the spread of the virus.
Despite the availability of a measles vaccine since 1963, Congo has struggled to reach the level of vaccination coverage necessary to control the disease. The WHO and UNICEF estimate that only 52% of children in Congo are vaccinated against measles, far below the 95% coverage required to stop outbreaks. In rural areas like Olive’s village, the barriers are even greater, with vaccine coverage sometimes as low as 13%.
Several challenges contribute to the low vaccination rates. Poor infrastructure and limited access to healthcare facilities make it difficult for families to reach vaccination sites. Congo’s vast size—about the same as Western Europe—combined with its inadequate road network, means that vaccines often fail to reach remote areas, particularly during the rainy season when roads become impassable.
Additionally, the logistics of maintaining the required cold chain for vaccines in Congo’s hot climate is another significant hurdle. Even when vaccines are available, healthcare workers and outreach efforts are often undermined by logistical challenges, lack of pay, and political instability, which hinders the effectiveness of immunization campaigns.
Measles is particularly dangerous in countries like Congo, where the health system is fragile and many children suffer from malnutrition. The virus can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, diarrhea, and “immune amnesia,” which leaves children vulnerable to other infections. In Olive’s case, it was likely the combination of pneumonia and diarrhea that led to her death.
The DRC’s ongoing civil conflicts have further exacerbated the situation, displacing millions of people and making it even harder for children to access healthcare. Many families, such as Olive’s, live in areas with little or no medical care, making it nearly impossible to seek vaccination or treatment when needed.
The situation in Congo is dire, but there is hope. Advances in vaccine delivery, such as the development of a measles vaccine patch that does not require refrigeration, could help overcome some of the logistical barriers. Additionally, new rapid diagnostic tests for measles could allow for quicker identification and response to outbreaks. However, as Dr. Natasha Crowcroft of the WHO points out, controlling measles in Congo will require not only better healthcare infrastructure but also strong political commitment to improve the country’s routine immunization programs.
