Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The outbreak in Samoa has been earning a lot of coverage, yet it seems that there has been an ongoing outbreak in the DRC that has killed almost 5,000 people this year. Like in Samoa, lack of access to healthcare and poor infrastructure is being blamed. What is interesting (and depressing) is that the Samoan outbreak has received massive amounts of news coverage around the globe while the DRC outbreak has barely made a peep on the international stage. I can't help but wonder why.
it's okay to say "I don't know"
- Woodchopper
- Princess POW
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Re: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
According to UNICEF five countries accounted for 45 per cent of measles cases in 2018.
In addition to the DRC, they are: Liberia, Madagascar, Somalia and Ukraine. What they have in common is poverty, war or both.
In addition to the DRC, they are: Liberia, Madagascar, Somalia and Ukraine. What they have in common is poverty, war or both.
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- Clardic Fug
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Re: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The level of conflict in the DRC means there's almost no reporting coming out of it at all. It's amazing that they have the public health stats that they do. A colleague who was working in Rwanda near the DRC border showed me a factions map and some areas the size of UK counties have 10-15 factions in them
Re: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
That would definitely explain the lack of news about the outbreak.OneOffDave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2019 3:20 pmThe level of conflict in the DRC means there's almost no reporting coming out of it at all. It's amazing that they have the public health stats that they do. A colleague who was working in Rwanda near the DRC border showed me a factions map and some areas the size of UK counties have 10-15 factions in them
I have to admit I was unaware that there was still conflict there. I don't know why, but I had assumed (on the basis of absolutely nothing) that things were calming down there.
it's okay to say "I don't know"
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- After Pie
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Re: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Poor black countries ignored by the rich white world.
Masking forever
Putin is a monster.
Russian socialism will rise again
Putin is a monster.
Russian socialism will rise again
Re: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
There is also the far more eye-catching Ebola scare.OneOffDave wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2019 3:20 pmThe level of conflict in the DRC means there's almost no reporting coming out of it at all. It's amazing that they have the public health stats that they do. A colleague who was working in Rwanda near the DRC border showed me a factions map and some areas the size of UK counties have 10-15 factions in them
I can't remember when, but the BBC World Service had a report on it within the last few months. There are quite a few epidemics there as well as the other problems.
Have you considered stupidity as an explanation
Re: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo
DRC is always in, or on the fringes, of some form of conflict.
And whenever there is significant conflict, there will be a cessation of routine healthcare programmes and thus there are always increases in measles cases during periods of conflict.
And whenever there is significant conflict, there will be a cessation of routine healthcare programmes and thus there are always increases in measles cases during periods of conflict.