DR CONGO (AFP) — A devastating outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to the deaths of 548 people since the beginning of the year, according to the nation’s health minister. This alarming situation has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the mpox surge in Africa a global public health emergency.
Rising Cases and Provincial Impact
Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba announced on Thursday that all 26 provinces in the DRC have been affected by the virus, which has the potential to shatter communities across the country. “According to the latest epidemiological report, our country has recorded 15,664 potential cases and 548 deaths since the beginning of the year,” Kamba stated in a video message.
The provinces bearing the brunt of the outbreak are South Kivu, North Kivu, Tshopo, Equateur, North Ubangi, Tshuapa, Mongala, and Sankuru.
Government Response and Strategic Plans
In response to the worsening crisis, the government has rolled out a comprehensive action plan structured around three main axes:
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives aimed at increasing public understanding of mpox are being launched to educate the populace about prevention and early detection.
- Vaccination Strategy: The government is formulating a national strategic plan for vaccination against mpox. The US Department of Health is aiding these efforts by donating 50,000 doses of the FDA-approved JYNNEOS vaccine to the DRC. “Vaccination will be a critical element of the response to this outbreak,” stated the US Department of Health.
- Enhanced Surveillance Systems: Surveillance at borders and checkpoints is being reinforced to control the spread of the virus. Additionally, working groups have been established to boost contact tracing and resource mobilization necessary for maintaining control over the epidemic.
Global and Regional Health Emergencies
The WHO’s declaration follows a similar move by the African Union’s health watchdog, which had already declared a public health emergency over the growing outbreak. The last significant global public health emergency due to mpox occurred from July 2022 to May 2023, predominantly affecting gay and bisexual men due to the clade 2b subclade. That outbreak resulted in approximately 140 deaths out of around 90,000 cases worldwide.
Historical Context and Transmission
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was first identified in humans in 1970 in the DRC. It is an infectious disease caused by a virus that can be transmitted to humans by infected animals and through close physical contact between humans. Symptoms include fever, muscular aches, and large boil-like skin lesions.
Severity of the Current Outbreak
The current surge in the DRC is linked to the clade 1b subclade, which has been prevalent since September 2023. This subclade is noted for causing more severe disease than clade 2b, with a higher fatality rate.
As the world watches the unfolding crisis in the DRC, international and local efforts are intensifying to curb the spread of mpox and save lives. The declaration of a global public health emergency underscores the urgency of a coordinated and robust response to this public health threat.
