By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports measles has resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) provinces of North and South Ubangui with cases rising to 4,500 since the outbreak mid-December 2020, affecting mostly children under five years.

Image/CDC

Many of the cases are complicated and associated with malnutrition. Humanitarian partners are conducting assessments in the health zone of Bosobolo, North Ubangi, in preparation for a potential intervention. Two other health zones are also being monitored where cases have been notified.

A two-year long measles outbreak that killed over 7,000 children had been declared over in August 2020.

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In fact, the measles virus can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person was there. People may be infected by simply being in a room where an infected person once was. It is so contagious that if one person has it, up to 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

Got Smallpox?

Measles can be prevented with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective.