Children at severe risk of death from mpox

International aid agency World Vision has expressed its deep concern for children who are most at risk of dying from a more deadly variant of mpox which is increasing in intensity across Central and West Africa. In DR Congo of the 7,851 reported Mpox cases, 39% are children aged under 5, including 240 deaths (62% of the total).

National Director of the World Vision Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Aline Napon said “Children are particularly vulnerable to mpox, especially in low and middle-income countries, including those suffering humanitarian crises and where health and social services are weak or non-existent. Children are especially at risk where they are living in refugee camps, overcrowded urban settlements, and where malnutrition, a lack of clean water and sanitation, and poor health services exist.”

WHO has declared mpox an international health emergency in response to a growing outbreak in Africa. The DRC is currently worst impacted, with thousands of children either infected or at risk of infection from the virus. Conflict in DRC is putting populations there at increased risk as displaced people are forced to live in crowded camps, and because sexual violence levels are high.

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“The type of contact reported by cases in DRC includes sexual contact, non-sexual direct contact, as well as household and healthcare facility contact. The level of the disease can increase in camps where displaced people are living, due to high levels of sexual violence. These environments encourage the rapid spread of infectious diseases such as smallpox, where close physical contact is almost inevitable. Children living in the DRC, where conflict, displacement and natural disasters are all taking place are at real risk of this serious and rapidly spreading disease,” said Napon.

The child-focused NGO is calling upon the international community to respond immediately, put systems in place to halt the spread of this deadly virus, roll out vaccinations, support the sharing of accurate health messaging to reduce misinformation and stigma, and urgently treat those who have been infected.

“World Vision’s experience in tackling Ebola and COVID in humanitarian situations tells us that there is no time to waste. People in DRC and other impacted countries need immediate free treatment for mpox. There must also be an immediate immunization program set up to prevent further infection and mortality. We cannot stand by while children die from this deadly but preventable disease,” said Napon.