Mpox Deaths Surpass 570 as Congo Faces Vaccine Shortage

Mpox, once a relatively contained and well-understood virus, has taken on a new and deadly form in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This more transmissible strain, known as clade 1b, has caused alarm across the globe, especially with its ability to claim the lives of approximately 3.6% of those infected, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The risk to children is particularly high, making the situation even more dire.

In Kinshasa, the capital of DRC, Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba announced a troubling rise in both mpox cases and fatalities. Within just a few days, the reported cases have surged from 16,000 with 548 deaths to 16,700 cases and over 570 deaths. This stark increase has prompted Kamba to declare the situation a "continental emergency," emphasizing the urgent need for vaccines.

The WHO has echoed these concerns, urging countries impacted by the outbreak to accelerate their vaccination campaigns to combat this more virulent strain of mpox. On Wednesday, the WHO took the rare step of declaring the mpox surge in Africa a global public health emergency, signaling the severity of the situation. This declaration comes as the virus spreads beyond the DRC, with outbreaks reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda since July. A case of the new strain has even surfaced in Sweden, highlighting the global reach of the crisis.

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In response to the escalating situation, the United States has pledged to provide 50,000 vaccine doses to the DRC. Japan has also stepped in, committing to send 3.5 million vaccine doses specifically for children. A medical source, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the DRC plans to vaccinate four million people, including 3.5 million children. Health Minister Kamba expressed hope that the vaccines would begin arriving within the next week, emphasizing the critical role they will play in controlling the outbreak. "The vaccine is a solution to our problems," Kamba stated, urging the population to get vaccinated. He also assured that the country's strategic vaccination plan is ready and only awaits the arrival of the vaccines.

The situation in DRC is particularly severe, with mpox cases now reported in all 26 provinces of the country, home to approximately 100 million people. The WHO has classified the outbreak as a "public health emergency of international concern," its highest level of alert. On Monday, the organization released updated guidelines aimed at curbing the surge. These guidelines call for the "agile adaptation of immunization strategies and plans" in the most affected areas. The WHO also stressed the importance of scaling up efforts to investigate cases and outbreaks thoroughly to better understand the transmission dynamics of the virus and prevent its spread within households and communities.

In its recommendations, the WHO urged health authorities to report new cases on a weekly basis and to "identify, monitor, and support the contacts of people with mpox to prevent onward transmission." The organization also highlighted the need for countries to provide food and other essential support to mpox patients, which could include isolation in care centers or guidance for home-based care. Additionally, the WHO emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration to monitor and manage suspected mpox cases without imposing unnecessary travel and trade restrictions that could negatively impact local, regional, or national economies.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has a long history. The virus was first discovered in 1958 in Denmark, in monkeys kept for research purposes, hence its original name. It wasn't until 1970 that the virus was identified in humans, with the first case reported in what is now the DRC. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals but can also spread from person to person through close physical contact. Symptoms of mpox include fever, muscle aches, and the development of large, boil-like skin lesions.

Health Minister Kamba noted with concern that the virus is increasingly affecting younger populations in the DRC, with a significant number of cases reported among children under 15. The African Union health agency reported that since the beginning of the year, a total of 18,737 suspected or confirmed cases of mpox have been recorded across Africa, including 1,200 cases in just one week.

As the DRC awaits the arrival of vaccines, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. The global health community is watching closely as the country grapples with this deadly outbreak, with the hope that swift action and international cooperation can bring the virus under control and prevent further loss of life.

Aug. 20, 2024 10:46 a.m. 512

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