New Mpox strain worsens Congo’s outbreak amid healthcare struggles and vaccine shortage

Congo is currently battling a major mpox outbreak, as the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 21,000 confirmed and suspected cases this year, out of a total of 25,093 cases across Africa. The situation got deadly last month when the WHO declared it a global health emergency. A new mpox strain, believed to spread more easily, has been found in South Kivu, an eastern province already struggling with multiple crises, adding further pressure to the region.

Congo has been struggling with mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, for decades as it remains an endemic disease in the region. It is a zoonotic disease, which means it spreads from animals to humans. While most cases result in mild symptoms such as fever, more severe cases can lead to large skin lesions. In recent outbreaks, over 720 deaths have been reported across Africa, with the majority occurring in the Congo.

Urgent Need for Vaccination Against the New Mpox Strain

It spread to South Kivu in September 2023, a region previously untouched by the disease, where a potentially more infectious strain was identified. The WHO reported that the virus then moved into the neighboring North Kivu province. Both areas, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Kinshasa, are facing rising violence, a humanitarian crisis, and significant challenges in their healthcare systems.

For years, Eastern Congo has been plagued by violence from over 120 armed groups, leading to widespread chaos and displacement.More than 6 million people have been forced from their homes in the eastern regions, making it incredibly difficult to deliver basic healthcare and nutrition. Dr. Musole Mulambamunva Robert, the medical director at Kavumu hospital, highlighted the strain, saying, “It’s a real challenge,” as the hospital sometimes has to treat up to four times its normal capacity. Along with the conflict, the region is also battling other diseases like cholera, adding to the burden on healthcare services.

Many communities in eastern Congo are still isolated due to ongoing violence and inadequate infrastructure. Mercy Muthee Lake from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent highlighted that a lack of basic supplies, such as soap and clean water, is leaving residents more susceptible to severe mpox cases. She explained, “Some areas in eastern Congo are so hard to reach that health clinics are out of reach.The roads are often unreliable, leaving hours-long, dangerous boat trips as the only option for travel in some areas.”

Congo has received approximately 250,000 doses of the mpox vaccine from the EU and the US, but an estimated 3 million doses are still needed to effectively tackle the outbreak.Currently, the vaccine is only approved for adults, with limited data on its efficacy for children. Local health workers are struggling with low supplies of essential medications and have requested additional training on mpox.

A slow response has been noted to the mpox outbreak compared to health crises like Ebola and COVID-19. Professor Ali Bulabula from Congo’s University of Kindu stated that mpox is often overlooked because it’s viewed as a tropical disease with minimal impact on Western economies.

Experts stress the need for more vaccination and community education. The WHO believes that with better leadership and cooperation, the outbreak could be contained within six months. However, challenges in eastern Congo show the urgent need for immediate action to manage the growing health crisis.

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