Public health experts are worried that a new variant of Mpox, known as the clade I virus, which emerged last year in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), might spread further into the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
To date, Burundi and Rwanda have reported cases linked to North Kivu in the DRC.
Last week, health officials in Burundi reported two cases in Bujumbura and one in Isare.
In Rwanda, two cases among refugees, traced back to the conflict-affected North Kivu, were identified.
Edson Rwagasore, the head of public health surveillance and emergency preparedness at the Rwanda Biomedical Center, informed journalists that Rwanda is capable of tracing, containing, and testing communities. However, there is concern about the virus spreading throughout the region.
Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania have close connections, and there is potential risk for Uganda and South Sudan as well.
EAC Deputy Secretary-General Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth stated that member states should exchange information on Mpox and support one another.
“The EAC partner states need to share essential information about the disease and implement preventive measures,” he said, emphasizing that “accurate risk communication, community engagement, and heightened surveillance are vital steps in managing the disease.”
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, a public health development agency of the German government, along with the Africa CDC, has trained experts ready to be deployed to disease hotspots as required.
The conflict in the DRC is a contributing factor
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that since 2022, the DRC has recorded over 21,000 Mpox cases and more than 1,000 deaths. In the past year, there were 14,626 cases and 654 deaths, while from January to May this year, 7,851 cases and 384 deaths were reported.
Children under five represent 39% of those infected and account for about two-thirds of the fatalities.
As the clade I virus becomes more prevalent, cases have been identified in communities displaced by the M23 rebel insurgency. The ongoing conflict also complicates surveillance and testing efforts.
“Large-scale population movements, internal displacements, and insecure environments all pose risks, including the fact that not all cases are reported or detected,” noted Dr. Rosamund Lewis, WHO Mpox specialist.
New framework for managing Mpox
A clinical trial for the Bavarian Nordic Mpox vaccine, designed for post-exposure use, is scheduled to begin soon.
The trials will primarily take place in the DRC, Uganda, and Nigeria.
Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which is leading the research, explained the rationale behind the post-exposure vaccine. “While pre-exposure vaccinations are standard for healthcare workers, post-exposure vaccines offer a more targeted approach, reducing the need for large vaccine supplies.”
He noted that high-risk individuals, such as close contacts of an infected person, are vaccinated to lower the risk of infection, enhance survival rates, and prevent further transmission.
Recent studies and experiences have shifted health experts’ understanding of Mpox transmission, highlighting a significant increase in person-to-person spread despite its zoonotic origins.