The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that mpox infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appear to be stabilizing in South Kivu, the region where a more infectious variant was first detected earlier this year. However, the virus continues to spread in other parts of the country and in neighboring nations such as Burundi and Uganda.
According to WHO’s latest report, mpox cases in South Kivu, particularly in the gold mining town of Kamituga, seem to have plateaued. Despite this, the broader trend across the DRC shows a rise in infections. Limited testing capacity complicates the effort to accurately assess the virus’s spread. Last week, the DRC recorded fewer than 100 laboratory-confirmed cases, down from nearly 400 in July.
Vaccination Efforts
To date, approximately 50,000 people in the DRC have been vaccinated against mpox. However, health experts warn that this is far from sufficient, as an estimated 3 million vaccines are needed to control the outbreak. Dr. Jean Kaseya, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), stated that the continent remains in the “acute phase” of the mpox epidemic, affecting 19 African nations.
Dr. Kaseya cautioned that without additional resources to combat the virus in Africa, it could pose a global threat.
Rising Cases in Burundi and Uganda
In Burundi, the newer mpox variant, which causes milder symptoms and often goes unnoticed, is driving a significant rise in cases. Over the past two weeks, the country has reported more than 200 new cases weekly, primarily among children and young adults. Uganda has also seen a surge, with 100 new cases reported last week.
Global Implications
The WHO declared mpox a global health emergency in August, citing its rapid spread across Africa and beyond. To date, Africa has reported over 46,000 suspected cases and 1,081 deaths. The first case of the more infectious variant outside Africa was recently identified in the United Kingdom, where it has spread among household contacts of a traveler from Africa.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, primarily spreads through close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals or contaminated items. Visible skin lesions are a common symptom but can sometimes lead to delayed recognition of the infection.
The WHO plans to convene an expert meeting next Monday to decide whether mpox continues to qualify as an international public health emergency. Meanwhile, health authorities urge increased global support to contain the outbreak within Africa.
