NewsDesk @bactiman63

More than 7 million people aged 6 months to 60 years are expected for the yellow fever vaccination campaign in the province of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

DRC map
Democratic Republic of the Congo/CIA

These figures were communicated during the official launch ceremony of this campaign in Bukavu, capital city of South Kivu on Monday.

According to Masine Kinenwa, provincial minister in charge of health who took part in this ceremony, this campaign follows the cases of yellow fever which have been notified in certain provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including South Kivu.

“ I invite the whole population to get vaccinated, prevention is better than cure, they say. Together let’s protect ourselves and our children against yellow fever. To vaccinate is to protect. The fixed strategy in hospitals, schools, health centers and places of worship has been adopted

The provincial minister in charge of health stresses that vaccination will be organized in the 34 health zones of South Kivu, i.e. from November 28 to December 7 in 3 health zones of Bukavu and from December 1 to 11 in the other 31 zones of health of said province.

He calls on the entire population of South Kivu to take ownership of this campaign and to be vaccinated massively to protect themselves against this pathology.

As of 6 November 2022, 10 probable cases and six confirmed yellow fever cases and one death have been reported in the country.

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that is spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes.

Symptoms of yellow fever (fever, chills, headache, backache, and muscle aches) develop 3-6 days after infection. About 12% of people infected with yellow fever virus will develop severe illness that can lead to liver disease, bleeding, shock, organ failure, yellowing skin (jaundice), and sometimes death. Among those who develop severe disease, 30-60% die.

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If you develop any of these symptoms, seek healthcare immediately.

There is no medicine to treat or cure infection. To prevent getting sick from yellow fever, use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and get vaccinated.