The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a “continental emergency,” as the death toll rises to over 570.
Health Minister Roger Kamba announced on Monday that since the beginning of the year, the DRC has recorded 16,700 confirmed or suspected cases of mpox, marking a significant surge from the 15,664 cases reported just last week.
The nation’s health authorities had initially declared a national mpox outbreak in December 2022. In response to the escalating situation, an incident management system was established in February 2023 to coordinate efforts against the spread of the virus.
The disease, which affects 17 African countries and several others outside the continent, is notably impacting younger populations, particularly children under 15 years old. Minister Kamba highlighted this trend as a “novelty” in the current outbreak, raising concerns about the vulnerability of the youth.
“The vaccine is only part of the response; the first line of defense is adherence to preventive measures,” stated Kamba, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation. He also confirmed that the country expects to receive a batch of mpox vaccines next week to bolster its fight against the virus.
Kamba acknowledged that government interventions have played a critical role in preventing a larger-scale spread within the country but stressed that continued vigilance is necessary.
Last Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency of international concern. This global alert raises alarms about the potential for increased transmission, following an initial announcement on July 23, 2022.
In line with the WHO’s declaration, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that the ongoing mpox outbreak constitutes a public health emergency for the continent. The number of new mpox cases reported in 2024 represents a 160-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
According to the WHO, the current outbreak, originating from the DRC, has been exacerbated by the emergence of a more lethal new variant of the virus, clade 1b, which has a mortality rate estimated at 3.6 percent, significantly higher than previous strains.
The DRC aims to receive its first doses of an mpox vaccine by next week, as part of efforts to address the inequity that left African countries without access to the two shots used in the 2022 global mpox outbreak, while vaccines were widely available in Europe and the United States.
“The arrival of vaccines would help us significantly,” said Kamba. The global vaccine alliance Gavi announced last week that it has up to $500 million to spend on getting shots to countries affected by Africa’s escalating mpox outbreak.
Mpox, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can be fatal. Two strains are spreading in the DRC—the endemic clade 1, and the new clade 1b offshoot.
The virus transmits through close physical contact, including sexual contact. Unlike previous global pandemics such as COVID-19, there is no evidence it spreads easily through the air.
The DRC’s declaration of mpox as a continental emergency underscores the urgency of coordinated action to combat the outbreak. With vaccines on the horizon and preventive measures emphasized, the country is mobilizing resources to protect its population and prevent further spread.
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Mpox outbreak declared a "continental emergency" in DRC, killing 570
cgtn.com
