A surge of mpox cases formerly known as monkeypox is wreaking havoc in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since the first case was reported in June, the outbreak has exacerbated an already fragile healthcare system and spilled over into neighboring Uganda. As health officials scramble to contain the outbreak, the repercussions of this public health crisis are being felt across borders, with local and international bodies declaring a state of public health emergency.
Of the 14,151 suspected cases in DRC, 2,638 have been confirmed, including 511 deaths which represents a case fatality of 3%. This number is already higher than the total number of cases reported during the previous mpox outbreak in 2022-2023. Moreover, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has noted that this is the highest number of cases in Africa to be attributed to mpox clade I which causes more severe illness and death.
See also: Is monkeypox the next big pandemic? (Part I) | Experts’ Opinions
Mpox is a viral infection that causes fever, an aching body, a sore throat and skin lesions which can last from two weeks to about one month. The disease has two different virus clades – clade I and clade II which is milder and less infectious. Although curable, the disease can be fatal, with pregnant women, children and those with weak immune systems being the worst hit. In DRC, the fatality rate stands at 5% in adults and 10% in children. An increased rate of miscarriages has also been reported.
Healthcare sector barely coping
The DRC’s healthcare system, known to be among the world’s most fragile, is under huge pressure, with some health facilities reporting a patient intake 4,000% higher than their capacity according to Save the Children. The region is still reeling from the previous Covid and Ebola outbreaks and many health facilities often lack basic supplies and trained personnel.
Local communities are feeling the brunt of the outbreak, as fear and stigma surrounding mpox contribute to a reluctance to seek medical assistance. Traditional healing practices have gained traction amid a distrust of healthcare systems which is complicating the efforts to educate the public about mpox symptoms and prevention.
According to Amani Nyakato, a community health worker in the city of Goma where the first mpox case was recorded:
“many people still don’t understand how mpox spreads or what to do if they suspect they have it. We are putting forth a lot of effort to inform our communities and stress the value of seeking early medical attention.”
Neighboring Uganda under threat of contamination
Despite the fact that Uganda has not reported any deaths and the two Ugandans who did test positive for the virus in mid-August had a successful course of treatment and were discharged, at least 23 districts have been identified by the Ministry of Health to be high-risk locations with a considerable chance of bringing the mpox virus into Uganda.
The majority of these areas are around the Uganda-DRC border according to Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. The capital city of Kampala and five of the regions that are housing refugees from the DRC are the most vulnerable.
“There are 17 gazetted points of entry among the 17 districts of Uganda that share a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as frequent human crossing places on land and in water (Lake Albert and George),” Aceng explained. “We must take swift action to stop the outbreak’s spread because we are aware of the risks it poses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the Minister added.
Public health emergency
In response to the expanding mpox outbreak throughout the continent, the health inspector of the African Union has declared a public health emergency, calling the decision a “clarion call for action.”
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), concurred with its head, Jean Kaseya, who declared mpox to be a “public health emergency of continental security.”
See also: Is monkeypox the next big pandemic? (Part II) | Experts’ Opinions
Last Monday, the WHO declared the mpox outbreak to be a public health emergency of international significance. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said:
“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying.”
International support is crucial
As the eastern DRC’s healthcare system continues to buckle under the strain of the mpox outbreak, urgent international support is vital. Non-governmental organizations and humanitarian groups have begun to mobilize resources but experts warn that, without sustained intervention, the situation could spiral out of control.
Dr. Roger Kamba, the Health Minister of the DRC, stated:
“We’re setting up a task force to help all partners involved in the response efforts coordinate.”
The DRC and Uganda are at a crossroads. The response to this mpox outbreak is not just about containing a virus, it is a matter of strengthening healthcare systems, improving collaboration across borders, and safeguarding public health in a region that cannot afford another crisis. As the world watches, the next steps taken by local and international authorities will determine the future of thousands who are caught in the grip of this emerging health threat.
