AFRICA/DR CONGO - Millions of children immunized against polio

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - Thousands of health workers went on foot, by bike, boat or car, to vaccinate at least 14 million children across the country against polio. UNICEF’s objective, promoter of this initiative with the local government is to reach as many children as possible so as to eradicate the disease. Several thousands of mobile health teams have traveled to schools, markets, health centers, offices and residences in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since January, 85 cases have been recorded in the country, placing it among the first in the world with the spread of this disease. According to UNICEF, after years of absence of this virus, it reappeared in the DRC in 2006, with 13 cases, followed by 41 in 2007, 5 in 2008, 3 in 2009 and 100 last year. The areas mainly affected are the capital Kinshasa with 33 cases, the provinces of Bas Congo (22), Bandundu (20), Katanga (7) and Western Kasai (2). The recent publication of the Multi Indicator Cluster Survey showed that the national coverage of children vaccinated between 12 and 23 months in the last 10 years has increased considerably, from 10% in 2001 to 42% in 2010. Among the factors that have hitherto hindered the eradication of polio we have population movements between Angola and the DRC, the difficulties of access in remote areas that are at risk, a precarious epidemiological monitoring system and lack of capacity to conduct further national immunization activities, amplified by the lack of hygiene and health care. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2011