The Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday launched a mass cholera vaccination drive targeting 2 million people aged one year and above across three provinces to halt an ongoing outbreak.

The campaign will cover 13 health zones in Haut-Lomami, South Kivu and Tanganyika provinces, the most affected by the outbreak.

The country has deployed 3,600 health workers including vaccinators and community mobilizers for the six-day campaign.

According to the World Health Organization, the DR Congo has reported at total of 8,279 suspected cholera cases and 153 deaths in 16 of the country’s 26 provinces since the start of the year.

"Cholera is a dangerous infection that can kill within hours if untreated, but it is predictable and preventable. In addition to the vaccines, which are one of the effective measures against the disease, we are also providing clean water and reinforcing hygiene and sanitation to prevent the outbreak from spreading further," said Dr Amédée Prosper Djiguimdé, WHO Officer in Charge in the DR Congo.

This is the second mass cholera vaccination drive in the country this year. The first was conducted in March and July, reaching more than 1.4 million people in Haut-Katanga province.

Cholera is a highly contagious disease transmitted through contaminated water or food. It causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration that can lead to death if not treated immediately.