The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing an alarming situation as monkeypox, known as Mpox, is spreading at a worrying rate. The alarming figures provided by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) through the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (COUSP-DRC) reveal that up to the 37th epidemiological week, almost all provinces in the country have recorded confirmed cases of this dreaded disease.
Among the 26 provinces of the DRC, only Ituri, Lomami and Haut-Katanga have not yet officially reported confirmed cases of Mpox. However, suspected cases have been reported in these regions, raising fears of an imminent spread of the disease. With 19 suspected cases recorded in Ituri, 25 suspected cases and three deaths in Lomami, and 35 suspected cases and one death in Haut-Katanga, it is clear that the situation is critical and requires a rapid and effective response from health authorities.
South Kivu province, the epicenter of the outbreak, has recorded 6,870 suspected cases, 3,150 confirmed cases and 36 deaths, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the DRC. Equateur, in the northwest of the country, has also been hard hit, with 6,455 suspected cases, 858 confirmed cases and 345 deaths.
Faced with this unprecedented health crisis, the Congolese authorities have decided to launch a large-scale vaccination campaign against Mpox. Vaccination is indeed the most effective way to stem the spread of this potentially deadly disease. Preparations are underway to begin vaccination as early as 1 October in the most affected areas, such as the North of the DRC, South Kivu and Sankuru.
International partners such as the European Union, the United States of America and the Kingdom of Belgium have provided their support by providing doses of vaccines, demonstrating international solidarity in the face of this crisis. The Director General of Africa CDC confirmed that the DRC will receive 50,000 doses of monkeypox vaccines, in addition to the 200,000 doses provided by the European Union and the 20,000 doses provided by Belgium.
The rapid spread of Mpox in the DRC underscores the importance of strengthening health and epidemiological surveillance systems to address emerging health threats. Early medical care and awareness-raising among the population are essential to contain the disease and avoid a major humanitarian crisis.
In conclusion, the current situation in the DRC highlights the challenges facing health systems in a context of globalization and increased population mobility. Coordinated response and international solidarity are essential to defeat Mpox and prevent future outbreaks.