Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reported at least 25 cases of a dangerous new strain of mpox spreading through the eastern city of Goma, particularly among individuals in camps fleeing surrounding conflict. With over 20,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths from mpox, primarily affecting children, since the beginning of 2023, the situation is dire.
The emergence of this new strain has prompted authorities to approve the use of vaccines to combat the upsurge, although currently, these vaccines are only available in clinical trials within the country. Cris Kacita, head of the national response team against the mpox epidemic, highlighted that the majority of new cases were detected in displaced people camps, with the virus originating from South Kivu province.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and scientists have raised concerns about the spread of this new strain of mpox in Congo, signaling a potential public health crisis. Despite mpox being endemic in the region for decades, the emergence of a new variant poses a significant threat due to its ability to spread through close contact, causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.
As the virus continues to circulate rapidly in crowded camps around Goma, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge from conflict in the east, the risk of a widespread epidemic looms large. With the virus circulating for a prolonged period in Goma, health officials are urging caution and emphasizing the importance of preventive measures to stem the spread of the disease.