The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a devastating Mpox outbreak that has claimed the lives of over 570 people, Health Minister Roger Kamba announced on Monday. The country has tallied a staggering 16,700 confirmed or suspected cases since the beginning of the year.
Declared a national health emergency in December 2022, the situation prompted authorities to establish a crisis management system in February 2023 as case numbers surged. Alarmingly, the disease has disproportionately affected young people, with children under 15 particularly vulnerable. This unusual trend has raised concerns among health officials.
Minister Kamba emphasized the importance of preventive measures, stating that while the government expects a new batch of Mpox vaccines next week, these are merely part of the solution. He credited government interventions for curbing a wider spread within the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) last week classified Mpox as a global health emergency, highlighting the risk of accelerated worldwide transmission. This decision followed a similar declaration by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which deemed the outbreak a continental health crisis.
New Mpox cases in 2024 have skyrocketed by 160 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the African Union’s health agency. The situation is further compounded by the emergence of a deadlier Mpox variant, Clade 1b, which has a mortality rate of 3.6 percent – significantly higher than previous strains.
