The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a severe Mpox outbreak, with 35 more lives lost to the virus, pushing this year’s death toll to 610. This worrying increase surpasses last year’s total of 600 deaths, emphasizing the disease’s escalating threat across the country.
Health Minister Dr. Roger Kamba detailed in his latest epidemiological report that there have been 1,372 new suspected cases and 206 confirmed cases of Mpox. The disease has spread to nearly every part of the nation, touching almost all of its 26 provinces.
In response to the outbreak, which has established the DRC as the outbreak’s epicenter, the government, supported by international bodies like the World Health Organization, the Africa CDC, and the US government, has launched a comprehensive plan. This includes an immediate allocation of $10 million aimed at curbing the spread as communities brace for more cases.
The capital city, Kinshasa, home to over 15 million people, is particularly on edge. With school set to start on September 2, there is heightened concern as more individuals, including children, show symptoms like skin rashes characteristic of Mpox.
The strain of Mpox currently affecting the DRC is notably deadly, more so than those in other regions. However, global health leaders, including WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, remain optimistic that with coordinated efforts, this outbreak can be effectively managed. Dr. Tedros has highlighted the necessity for a strategic approach that includes surveillance, prevention, community engagement, and the advancement of research for vaccines and diagnostic tests.
Vaccination is seen as a critical component of the response. The DRC government is encouraging its citizens to get vaccinated as soon as doses are available, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in these efforts.
Dr. Kamba also advises the public to adhere to preventive measures such as regular handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding contact with wild animals, which are still being sold as bushmeat despite the risks.
This outbreak is not the first encounter the DRC has had with Mpox; the virus was first identified in humans in Kinshasa in 1970. Yet, this current wave has introduced new challenges, including changes in how the virus is being transmitted, prompting health officials to urge safer sexual practices among the population.
As the country confronts this formidable health crisis, the push for a swift and organized response grows stronger, aiming to protect as many lives as possible in the face of this deadly virus.
Source: Ghana Web
