Kinshasa Doctors Combat Mpox Amid Surge in Cases

Doctors in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), carried out treatment for patients suffering from mpox, as hospitals continued to fight a surge in cases.

Medical workers have been on high alert since the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency earlier this month.

Dr. Jose Pululu, head of the Mpox Center at Vijana, detailed their approach to managing severe and critical cases.

Pululu highlighted how mpox can lead to serious complications if not attended to, including genital lesions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that mpox vaccines are expected to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the coming days to combat a new strain of the virus. Approximately 230,000 doses are ready for distribution, donated by the European Commission and Danish vaccine manufacturer Bavarian Nordic, according to WHO official Tim Nguyen.

Earlier this month, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency following an outbreak in the DRC that has spread to neighboring countries. The organization reported over 18,000 suspected cases and 629 deaths in Congo this year, with more than 150 confirmed cases in Burundi.

The situation is particularly dire in the DRC, where a new, more virulent strain has emerged. Since January 2023, the country has reported over 27,000 suspected cases and 1,100 deaths, mainly among children.

Burundi has emerged as a significant Mpox hotspot in the region, second only to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recorded cases.

While two Mpox vaccines are widely available in at least 70 countries outside Africa, African nations are struggling to access these life-saving resources. The cost, estimated at $100 per person, is prohibitive for many African governments already grappling with multiple health crises.

As the virus spreads to neighboring countries, the World Health Organization has designated the outbreak a public health emergency.