Retrospective and specific mortality survey after a measles epidemic in three health zones in Haut-Lomami, DRC

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) intervened from December 2018 to April 2019 in three health zones (ZS) (Malemba Nkulu, Mukanga Kitenge, and Kinkondja) in Upper Lomami Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to support the Ministry of Health in its response to the measles epidemic. The intervention consisted, in the Malemba Nkulu health zone, of strengthening the case treatment capacity of the General Hospital, implementing a vaccination campaign, and mobilizing mobile clinics for the detection and treatment of measles cases in the surrounding area. In the Mukanga Kitenge health zone, the intervention focused on the treatment of measles cases with complicated malaria and severe malnutrition. In the Kinkondja health zone, MSF's intervention was limited to the donation of medicine for the treatment of measles.

In order to document these interventions, a retrospective mortality survey was conducted in the three health zones to assess community mortality, vaccination coverage, and the prevalence of malnutrition.

The survey conducted in the three health zones showed a high mortality rate among children under five years of age. Mortality among children under five years of age was especially higher in the Kinkondja health zone, where MSF's intervention was limited to the distribution of medicine, compared to the other two health zones. Measles and malaria were the main causes of death reported by parents.