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 The worst yellow fever outbreak in decades has killed about 345
people in Angola, while Congo declared an epidemic in Kinshasa and
two other provinces on Monday after reporting 67 confirmed cases and
more than 1,000 other suspected cases.
In a statement, WHO said that the campaign would target areas within
75-100 km of the border where there are high levels of cross-border
movement and trade in order to create an "immune buffer" and prevent
further spread of the disease.
WHO said that the campaign would begin in July. There is currently
almost no vaccine left in Congo and a new stock of more than 1
million doses could take weeks to arrive in country, health
officials have said.
The global stockpile of yellow fever vaccine has already been
depleted twice this year to immunize people in Angola, Uganda and
Congo. It stands at 6 million doses, but experts warn this may not
be enough if there are simultaneous outbreaks in a number of
highly-populated areas.
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The mosquito-borne hemorrhagic virus is a major concern in Kinshasa,
a city of about 12 million people with poor health services, a humid
climate beloved of the insects and much stagnant water where they
can breed, owing to pour drainage.
(Reporting By Aaron Ross; Editing by Tim Cocks and Toby Chopra)
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