The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a surge in mpox cases and deaths as the country anxiously awaits the arrival of vaccines from the United States and Japan. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba announced on Monday that the death toll has risen to “a little more than 570,” with confirmed cases climbing to 16,700 in just a few days.
The escalating situation has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the outbreak a global public health emergency. The new strain of mpox, known as clade 1b, has been particularly deadly, with a mortality rate of approximately 3.6%, especially among children, according to WHO data.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has long been present in Africa, but this more transmissible and lethal strain has intensified concerns. Outbreaks have been reported not only in the DRC but also in neighboring countries such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda since July. A case of the new strain has even been detected as far away as Sweden.
In response to the crisis, the United States has pledged 50,000 vaccine doses for the DRC, while Japan has agreed to provide 3.5 million doses specifically for children. The DRC’s vaccination strategy aims to immunize four million people, including 3.5 million children. “Our strategic vaccination plan is ready. We are just waiting for the vaccines to arrive,” Kamba stated, expressing hope that the vaccines would be available by next week.
The WHO has called on affected countries to intensify their vaccination efforts and adapt immunization strategies to the regions most impacted by the outbreak. The organization also emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration to monitor and manage the spread of the disease without imposing unnecessary travel and trade restrictions.
The WHO’s updated guidelines stress the need for countries to thoroughly investigate mpox cases and outbreaks, support those infected with appropriate care, and ensure food and other necessities are provided. They have also urged health authorities to report new cases on a weekly basis and monitor the contacts of infected individuals to prevent further transmission.
Since the beginning of the year, Africa has reported a total of 18,737 suspected or confirmed cases of mpox, with 1,200 cases occurring in just one week, according to the African Union’s health agency.
Mpox, which was first identified in monkeys in Denmark in 1958 and later in humans in the DRC in 1970, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans from infected animals and through close physical contact with an infected person.
As the DRC awaits the arrival of crucial vaccines, the government and international health organizations are working tirelessly to curb the spread of this deadly strain and protect the country’s vulnerable populations, particularly children.
Sources By Agencies
