The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to receive its first vaccine doses to combat the mpox outbreak next week, courtesy of the United States, according to the country’s health minister, Roger Kamba. This announcement comes on the heels of the World Health Organisation’s declaration of mpox outbreaks in Africa as a global emergency. Mpox cases have been confirmed in over a dozen African countries, with children and adults alike affected. Notably, Congo bears the brunt of the outbreak, accounting for the vast majority of cases and deaths.
The country is in dire need of vaccine doses, with estimates suggesting a requirement of three million shots to effectively curb the spread of the virus. Fortunately, the US and Japan have offered to donate vaccines, with the former already committing to send doses. Although the exact number of doses and timeline for shipment from Japan remain unclear, the gesture is a significant one, considering the limited availability of vaccines in the region.
The World Health Organisation has reported an alarming 17,000 mpox cases and over 500 deaths worldwide for the year, with a staggering 96% of these cases and deaths attributed to Congo. The country’s healthcare system has historically struggled to cope with disease outbreaks due to its vast size and inadequate infrastructure. Furthermore, the majority of cases and deaths in Congo involve children under the age of 15, with the disease-causing virus mutating to present with milder symptoms and lesions on the genitals, making detection more challenging.
Congo Receives Urgent Support from International Community (Image via Getty)
The new strain of mpox has raised concerns among scientists, as it seems to be more easily transmitted than its predecessors. The fact that it is not airborne, but rather requires close, skin-to-skin contact to spread, means that people may unknowingly infect others. The WHO has also identified four East African countries – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda – where mpox cases have been reported, all of which are linked to the outbreak in Congo.
In light of these developments, the international community is ramping up efforts to support Congo in its fight against mpox. The arrival of vaccine doses from the US is a crucial step in this endeavour, and it is hoped that this gesture will help turn the tide in the battle against this disease.
