SA: Why Measles Deaths Are Surging—and Coronavirus Could Make it Worse

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While COVID-19 has just reached the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), another viral outbreak has already killed over 6,500 children: measles. Beginning in October 2018, cases began to spike and an epidemiologist from the WHO reports that the situation has “mushroomed.” She remarks that it may be the largest documented measles outbreak in one country since the measles vaccine was invented. Measles outbreaks continue to flare as a consequence of underfunded health systems and barriers to delivering vaccines to those who need it. The COVID-19 pandemic will exacerbate this issue as 20 countries have suspended measles vaccination campaigns because healthcare workers are dealing with the coronavirus. 

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