Fatshimetrie, August 19, 2024 – Prevention against Mpox at the Ngobila river border post in Kinshasa occupies a prominent place in the public health measures put in place by the authorities. Indeed, the surveillance teams working at this strategic entry point were recently made aware of the measures to take to limit the spread of this disease in the Congolese capital.
During a field visit, the provincial Minister of Health, Patrician Gongo, stressed the importance of sensitizing surveillance agents in order to make them aware of the danger that Mpox represents for the population of Kinshasa. With already 20 confirmed cases and more than 15 suspected cases recorded, it is essential to act quickly to stem the spread of this epidemic.
An emergency meeting was therefore organized at the headquarters of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to put in place effective strategies to counter the progression of Mpox. Among the recommended preventive measures are the avoidance of all contact with dead animals, the systematic cooking of meat before consumption and regular washing of hands with soap.
Minister Gongo also made the local population aware of the characteristic signs of this disease, such as high fevers and joint pain. He insisted on the importance of quickly consulting a health center in the event of persistent symptoms, stressing that treatment is completely free.
This mobilization of authorities and health actors in Ngobila demonstrates the desire to protect the population of Kinshasa in the face of this health threat. Through increased awareness and adequate prevention measures, it is possible to limit the impact of Mpox and ensure the health security of the inhabitants of the Congolese capital.
In this context, cooperation between the different health actors and the mobilization of the population appear to be essential levers to contain the spread of Mpox and preserve public health in Kinshasa.