In the meanders of the Kongo-Central province, a worrying shadow hangs over the population. Four hundred and fifty-seven suspected cases of Mpox have been detected, including 18 confirmed, over the last ten months. These figures, revealed by the Provincial Health Division (DPS) in a recent epidemiological bulletin, give a glimpse of the scale of a worrying situation.
A closer look at the distribution of these cases reveals that 25 out of 31 health zones are affected by Mpox in the province. A particularly alarming situation is emerging in the former Bas-Fleuve district, which alone has 13 confirmed cases of this disease. The Mayombe forest, which is home to exceptional biodiversity, seems to be the ideal breeding ground for the spread of this disease.
Dr. Bonheur Thsiteku, head of the DPS, points to hunting practices and the consumption of undercooked bushmeat as factors that promote the spread of the virus. Despite the recommendations of health authorities, the population of this region continues to handle dead animals, thus endangering their health and that of their loved ones.
Aware of the urgency of the situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently provided laboratory sample collection kits to the provincial coordination teams. These tools will be invaluable in the fight against the spread of the disease and will help establish more effective preventive measures.
In this context, the community awareness-raising carried out by these teams in areas with a high prevalence of Mpox is of paramount importance. In Kangu in Lukula, as in other affected regions, it is crucial to inform and educate the population on the risks associated with monkeypox, in order to break the chain of transmission and prevent an even more devastating spread.
In conclusion, the fight against Mpox in Kongo-Central requires unwavering mobilization of all stakeholders involved. Beyond the numbers, it is the health and well-being of the inhabitants of this region that are at stake. It is time to act in a concerted and proactive manner to stem this threat and protect the lives that depend on it.