Fatshimetrie, October 28, 2024 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a major health crisis with the alarming spread of monkeypox, also known as Mpox. Since the beginning of 2024, the country has recorded a staggering 1,049 deaths related to this infectious disease, and nearly 38,185 suspected cases have been reported, including 8,607 confirmed.
Dr. Roger Samuel Kamba, Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare in the DRC, revealed these figures during a weekly meeting on the epidemiological situation of Mpox. The urgency of the situation has led to the implementation of drastic measures, including a vaccination campaign aimed at stemming the spread of the virus. To date, 47,547 people have been vaccinated, which represents more than 100% of the initial target in the most affected provinces.
Although progress has been made in the fight against monkeypox, with a significant decrease in the case fatality rate from 1.20% to 0.0014% in one week, vigilance remains essential. Minister Kamba stressed the importance of strengthening preventive measures to avoid a new epidemic outbreak, particularly due to the risk of the introduction of Marburg virus disease from neighboring Rwanda.
The spread of Mpox is all the more worrying due to the emergence of a new, more contagious variant, capable of transmitting more easily from human to human. While the disease was initially associated with zoonotic transmission from infected animals, it is now spread mainly through contact between individuals. This worrying development has contributed to an exponential increase in cases in the DRC, jeopardizing the health and safety of the population.
The situation is particularly critical in the camps for displaced people around Goma, in North Kivu province, where overcrowding and promiscuity are promoting the transmission of the virus. Faced with this health emergency, the Congolese authorities and their international partners are redoubling their efforts to stem the spread of monkeypox, through awareness-raising, screening and vaccination campaigns.
The Mpox pandemic in the DRC highlights the fragility of health systems in many African countries, which face major challenges in terms of infrastructure, resources and qualified medical personnel. However, despite these difficulties, international mobilization and solidarity are essential to address this unprecedented health crisis and protect the health and well-being of the most vulnerable populations.
In conclusion, the fight against monkeypox in the DRC is a major public health issue that requires collective and coordinated action at the national and international levelsOnly a full commitment from the authorities, health organisations and the international community will make it possible to contain the spread of this deadly disease and avoid further tragedies.