Health worker administers polio vaccine to a child

 Congo on Wednesday launched a massive vaccination campaign against a yellow fever epidemic which has killed no fewer than 85 people, health officials said.

The authorities have reported 1,866 confirmed or suspected cases, including 85 deaths, since January in the provinces of the capital Kinshasa, Kongo Central and Kwango.

Eugene Kabambi from the World Health Organisation has said the aim is to vaccinate about 12 million people in the three provinces located near Angola, where the outbreak is believed to have started.

Kabambi noted that about two million people have already been vaccinated in Kongo Central and Kinshasa. (dpa/NAN)