Polio Epidemic Claims 78 Lives In Congo

A polio epidemic in southern DR Congo has killed 78 people since early October authorities said Tuesday, more than a decade after the disease was considered eradicated here.

"We have counted 78 deaths since Monday," a member of a special crisis committee told AFP.

While DR Congo's director-general of health, Alexis Elira Dokekias, would not comment on the death toll, he said more than 180 polio cases have been registered across the country.

"What is important is not to mention the numbers of deaths. But up to this point we have registered nearly 183 cases," he told AFP.

The majority of cases, or 175, are located in the coastal town of Pointe Noire, he said, with eight other cases scattered around the country including three in the capital.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) last week estimated the death toll at 62.

Polio was believed to be eradicated in the central African country which hasn't registered a case since 2000, according to WHO.

Source: AFP