Fatshimetrie, October 28, 2024. In the heart of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the administrative and technical teams of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB) were recently made aware of the importance of being vaccinated against the dreaded Mpox virus. The need for this voluntary vaccination is all the more important for PNKB agents, including eco-guards, who regularly interact with the park’s wildlife. Dr. Nicole Mafinge, the main speaker of this awareness-raising and a manager at the Provincial Health Division (DPS/South Kivu), stressed that Mpox, which is virulent and potentially fatal, tends to spread more and more from human to human, particularly through direct contact with lesions, bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
The worrying epidemiological situation in the province of South Kivu, which has recorded more than 3,800 cases of Mpox, makes it the epicenter of the epidemic in the DRC. Since the Park Headquarters is located in the Miti-Murhesa health zone, where the highest number of cases have been reported so far, it becomes imperative to strengthen preventive measures to protect PNKB staff and visitors.
Despite the absence of cases of Mpox among PNKB staff since the resurgence of the virus in South Kivu, the site management, in collaboration with its partners, has put in place an arsenal of health precautions. Regular awareness sessions on barrier gestures, easy access to protective equipment, as well as a rigorous hygiene protocol in areas at risk of transmission are all measures implemented to ensure a safe environment for all park workers and visitors.
This awareness session, organized by the DPS of South Kivu in partnership with the Media Network for Development (Remed) and with the financial support of UNICEF, highlights the crucial importance of vaccination and preventive measures in the fight against Mpox. It is essential that everyone becomes aware of their individual responsibility to help stem the spread of this potentially deadly virus and ensure the safety of all.