Fatshimetrie, September 15, 2024: The city of Matadi, an emblematic place in the Kongo Central province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently the scene of an intensive awareness campaign among young people about the Mpox epidemic, also known as monkeypox. Last Saturday, the U-Report community organized a briefing aimed at highlighting the essential barrier measures to be adopted in this context of health crisis.
At the heart of this awareness campaign, Fils Bodo, UNICEF consultant in Kongo Central, highlighted the essential importance of washing hands with soap or hydroalcoholic gel, simple but essential actions to prevent the spread of Mpox. He also stressed the need to avoid coming into contact with any infected animal, to cook meat thoroughly before consuming it, and to avoid any contact with a person suffering from the disease.
Mpox is mainly transmitted through close contact with an infected animal or through unsafe sex, making new or multiple casual sexual partners and the LGBT community particularly vulnerable to the disease. Symptoms to watch for include blister-like rashes or firm lesions on different parts of the body, accompanied by fever and headache. When in doubt, it is essential to go to the nearest health center and avoid self-medication.
Patience Chito, President of the Matadi Urban Youth Council, expressed his gratitude to the U-Report community for enlightening the population on Mpox. He in turn committed to raising awareness among different social strata in key locations such as schools, churches and markets, in order to best protect the population of Matadi.
Figures provided by the Provincial Health Division indicate 223 suspected cases of Mpox in Kongo Central, including 12 confirmed cases. A situation that calls for increased vigilance and collective mobilization to contain the spread of this infectious disease.
In conclusion, it is imperative for the population of Matadi and the entire province of Kongo Central to stay informed, respect the recommended preventive measures and act proactively to stem the progression of Mpox. Effective awareness-raising and close collaboration between the different stakeholders are essential to successfully overcome this health crisis.