Announcement

**Pathfinder** · March 15, 2024, 08:31 AM

Translation Google

Monkey pox: first cases recorded in the Republic of Congo

By Africanews Editorial with AP
Last Updated: 1 hour ago

The Republic of Congo has recorded its first cases of monkeypox in several regions, the health ministry said, showing how the disease can spread in Africa since sexual transmission was first confirmed on the continent last year.

Mpox is a virus that begins in wild animals and sometimes jumps to humans, who can transmit it to other people. The virus was previously known as monkeypox , because it was first observed in research monkeys.

The World Health Organization said in November that it had confirmed for the first time sexual transmission of mpox in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. African scientists have warned this could make the disease difficult to contain.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Congo released its report on Wednesday. According to this report, some 43 cases were reported to the ministry, notably in nine of the country's 12 departments. The government made no further comment on the publication, which was not officially distributed to the media and appears to have been intended for internal use.

Mpox became a subject of global concern during an international outbreak in 2022 that saw the disease spread to more than 100 countries, primarily through sex between gay or bisexual men. Smallpox has been endemic in parts of central and west Africa for decades, but most cases have been infected by rodents, limiting the spread of the disease .

The WHO has declared the outbreak a global emergency and more than 90,000 cases have been recorded to date. In Congo, where sexual transmission was first confirmed, it has recorded more than 12,500 cases and 580 deaths, the largest epidemic ever recorded.

The WHO had previously warned that sexual transmission could mean the disease spread to other parts of the continent.

In Africa, experts say the numbers are likely underestimated because testing resources are limited and victims may avoid coming forward due to prejudice and draconian laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities .

While the monkeypox epidemic has given rise to mass vaccination campaigns in Europe and North America, nothing of the sort is planned in Africa.

Variole du singe : des premiers cas enregistrés en République du Congo | Africanews

https://fr.africanews.com/2024/03/15/variole-du-singe-des-premiers-cas-enregistres-en-republique-du-congo/

La République du Congo a enregistré ses premiers cas de variole dans plusieurs régions, a déclaré le ministère de la Santé, ce qui montre comment la maladie peut se propager en Afrique depuis que la transmission par voie sexuelle a été confirmée pour la première fois sur le continent.

**sharon sanders** · March 15, 2024, 10:29 AM

bump this

**Pathfinder** · April 24, 2024, 10:15 AM

Text and image translated with Google

Ministry of Health and Population CONGO

2h

·

🚨Government declaration, dated April 23, 2024, of the Monkey-Pox or monkey pox epidemic by Mr. Gilbert MOKOKI , Minister of Health and Population!
With this government declaration, the Minister of Health and Population had just activated the #publichealth emergency management system , in order to deal with the response to this epidemic.

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**Pathfinder** · April 27, 2024, 11:00 AM

Translation Google

COG: Outbreak - 04-2024 - MONKEY-POX OUTBREAK

Epidemic Congo COG: Outbreak - 04-2024 - MONKEY-POX OUTBREAK

Last updated by Patrick Marien YOMBO on 2024-04-26 (Africa - Cuvette, Likouala)
...
Notes

Since January 2024, fifty-nine (59) cases of Monkey-pox or monkey pox have been reported in five (05) departments and nine (09) health districts in our country. Nineteen (19) cases have been confirmed by the national public health laboratory. To date, the epidemiological situation is as follows: Affected departments: La Cuvette, Likouala, Les Plateaux, Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville. Health districts affected: Bokoma with 8 confirmed cases, Mossaka 2 confirmed cases, Loukolela 2 confirmed cases, Oyo 2 confirmed cases Liranga 2 confirmed cases, Gamboma 2 confirmed cases, Ngoyo 1 confirmed case, Zero deaths. This disease manifests itself by the following clinical picture: Fever; Headaches; Tiredness ; The increase in the volume of the lymph nodes; Muscle pain; A generalized skin rash, In view of these results and in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) of which the Republic of Congo is a signatory, the Government of the Republic, through my voice, declares the epidemic of monkeypox In our country, monkeypox is a disease that affects both animals and humans; it is very contagious and can become fatal if treatment is started late. It is transmitted from animals to humans and also from humans to humans through contact with infected animals, contaminated game meat and infected people. To protect themselves from this disease, the Government invites the population to observe the following measures: Basic hygiene measures; Avoid contact and sexual relations for 21 days with suspicious subjects; Avoid contact with animals and any handling of game meat with bare hands; Use a surgical mask and gloves if necessary contact with a suspected case or the personal effects of a confirmed case; As far as possible, avoid places where wild animals gather and their passageways. The Government reassures the population that executives and agents of the Ministry of Health and Population are hard at work on the ground to stem this epidemic. He urges the population to contact the nearest health services in the event of any suspected case.

Sources for data marked as Other

Dr. Jean-Médard KANKOU, DELM, jkankou@yahoo.fr/kankou.jeanmedard12@gmail.com; Mr. Jethro MASSALA PEYA, Epidemiologist, data manager, SURGE, DELM, jethromassala@gmail.com

Description

Since the outbreak was declared, the Government of the Congo has set up a coordination unit, of which the Congolese Red Cross is a member, and this unit has the following challenges:  Mobilization of funds for the organization of community meetings and the management of community relays;  Acquisition of sampling kits for health facilities;  Organization of case isolation;  Acquisition of medicines for case management and collection kits;  Restoration of cases in isolation sites;  Active search for Mpox cases in health facilities and the community;  Preliminary investigation around suspected cases and in the Listing and contact tracing. To date, the populations of the Cuvette in the localities of Oyo, Mossaka and Loukoléla, Likouala in the locality of Liranga where the first cases were detected, live in a total and very worried psychosis given the isolated cases that still remain unknown to everyone in their community.

...

IFRC GO

https://go.ifrc.org/field-reports/17019

**Pathfinder** · August 25, 2024, 01:37 PM

Translation Google

In Congo-Brazzaville, confirmed cases of MPOX but all treated

Brazzaville will host the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa from August 24. The government took advantage of the presentation of this event on Saturday to assess the situation of the mpox epidemic. It has already affected at least 21 people across the country.

Published on:08/25/2024 - 03:09
Modified on:08/25/2024 - 03:38

By : RFI
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Loïcia Martial

Health Minister Gilbert Mokoki gave an overview of the Mpox epidemic in Congo-Brazzaville . As in the rest of the continent, the disease is present in the country. “ We have recorded 158 suspected cases since the beginning of the year. And, we have had 21 confirmed cases. Until two days ago, we had only 19 confirmed, treated and cured cases. 48 hours ago, we identified two new cases ,” he announced.

The disease affects five of the fifteen departments of the Republic of Congo, notably the forest regions of Sangha and Likouala in the north of the country.

Minister Gilbert Mokoki stressed that the virus is mutating and that the modes of transmission are multiplying across the world: " It is a disease that, today, is experiencing a lot of transmissions. Before, we talked about "monkey pox": we thought that the reservoir was the monkey. However, today, it is not only the monkey that transmits to humans; other animals do. It is also proven that humans transmit to animals, particularly domestic animals ," he explained.

According to the minister, the situation of the monkeypox epidemic is not alarming in Congo. He advised the population to observe preventive measures, including regular hand washing.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20240825-au-congo-brazzaville-des-cas-confirm%C3%A9s-de-mpox-mais-tous-pris-en-charge

**Shiloh** · August 25, 2024, 05:18 PM

Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/congo-braz...s/7756237.html

Congo-Brazzaville reports 21 mpox cases
August 25, 2024 9:14 AM
By Agence France-Presse

Brazzaville, Congo —

Twenty-one cases of mpox have been recorded in Congo-Brazzaville, the country's health minister told state television Sunday.

Gilbert Mokoki said that the central African country had "registered 158 suspect cases" since the beginning of the year, "21 of which we have confirmed."

The latest two were reported Thursday, he said.

Cases of the infectious disease — formerly known as monkeypox — have been surging in eastern and central Africa, but the virus has also been detected in Asia and Europe, with the World Health Organization declaring an international emergency.

The virus has been reported in five of Congo-Brazzaville's 15 regions, with the forested areas of Sangha and Likouala in the north particularly affected...

**sharon sanders** · August 25, 2024, 05:21 PM

Updated: 2024 Mpox Global Strongly Suspected/Probable/Confirmed Clade 1b Worksheet

**Pathfinder** · February 10, 2025, 01:15 PM

Mpox epidemic: Situation Report (SITREP) No. 41 of February 10, 2025

Excerpt:
(Screenshot)

...

Epidémie de Mpox : Rapport de Situation (SITREP) N°41 du 10 février 2025

https://www.afro.who.int/fr/countries/congo/publication/epidemie-de-mpox-rapport-de-situation-sitrep-ndeg41-du-10-fevrier-2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) is building a better future for people everywhere. Health lays the foundation for vibrant and productive communities, stronger economies, safer nations and a better world. Our work touches lives around the world every day – often in invisible ways. As the lead health authority within the United Nations (UN) system, we help ensure the safety of the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and the medicines and vaccines that treat and protect us. The Organization aims to provide every child, woman and man with the best chance to lead a healthier, longer life.

**Pathfinder** · April 9, 2025, 10:21 AM

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 13: 24 - 30 March 2025
Data as reported by: 17:00; 30 March 2025
...
Congo

Mpox

26 Cases
1 Deaths
3.8% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The mpox outbreak in the Republic of Congo has entered
a new phase, with the first mpox-related death recorded
in epidemiological week 10 (week ending 16 March
2025). The death, reported from Moungali District in
Brazzaville Department, occurred in a known contact of
a confirmed case, raising public health concerns.

From 1 January to 30 March 2025, a total of 26 confirmed
cases, including one death (CFR 3.8%), have been
reported from four departments across the country. The
majority of cases (n=13) have been reported from the
capital, Brazzaville, where six of the nine health districts
are affected. The other affected departments are Cuvette
(n=6), Cuvette Ouest (n=4), and Pointe Noire (n=3).

Males are more affected, accounting for 53.6% (n=14)
of the cases. Cases range from 1 to 65 years old, with a
median age of 28 years. Age group 20 to 40 years are the
most affected, accounting for 61.5% of the total cases

As of 30 March 2025, there are six active cases in the
country, three (3) of which are currently hospitalized and
receiving clinical care, while the remaining three (3) are
isolated and being managed at home. Of the confirmed
cases reported in 2025, samples from 20 cases were
sequenced. The genomic analysis showed nine (9)
Clade Ib from Brazzaville and Pointe Noire Departments
and 11 Clade Ia distributed across the Brazzaville,
Pointe-Noire, Cuvette, and Cuvette Ouest Departments.

Genomic sequencing of the mpox virus (MPXV) in 2024
in the Republic of Congo revealed multiple strains were
circulating in the country and some strains had up to
99.9% genetic similarity to MPXV sequences from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This suggests
multiple introductions of the virus into the human
population through both zoonotic spillover and
humanto-human transmission, including potential cross-border
spread from the DRC.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Ministry of Health is leading the Mpox response,
coordinating efforts at national and district levels. Regular
coordination meetings are being held, including weekly
surveillance briefings, and preparations are underway to
update the mpox Preparedness and Response Plan.

Active surveillance activities, including contact tracing
and active case finding, are ongoing in both affected and
non-affected districts. A total of six contacts are currently
under follow-up. Data harmonization efforts are being
conducted in collaboration with the National Public Health
Laboratory to strengthen surveillance capabilities.

Data collection for the national knowledge attitude and
practice mpox survey is in progress in the Republic
of Congo, with the survey aimed at improving public
health strategies based on community knowledge and
behaviours.

Case management remains a priority, with three cases
admitted for clinical care. Isolation measures have been
established for treatment and follow-up to prevent further
spread.

Communication activities are ongoing in affected
departments to raise public awareness of Mpox and
promote preventive measures.

Decontamination exercises have been organized in
healthcare facilities and residential homes, though there
is a lack of necessary inputs and rolling stock to carry out
these activities effectively.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The ongoing mpox outbreak in the Republic of Congo
poses a public health risk, with its spread across multiple
departments and a concentration of cases in the capital,
Brazzaville. The first recorded mpox-related death
highlight concerns about disease severity, particularly
in the context of potential delays in diagnosis and
case management. While endemic zoonotic spillover
remains a known risk in Central Africa, the increasing
role of sustained human-to-human transmission raises
the threat of prolonged transmission chains, especially
in densely populated urban settings. Brazzaville’s
proximity to Kinshasa, a major population hub with
significant cross-border movement, further heightens
the risk of cross-border spread.

The identification of Clade Ib, in addition to genomic
sequencing analysis in 2024 showing links to mpox virus
(MPXV) strains from the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC), suggests potential ongoing cross-border
transmission. Also, the predominance of cases among
males and individuals aged 20 to 40 years highlights
specific exposure dynamics, potentially influenced
by occupational, social, or behavioural factors. These
findings emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance,
genomic monitoring, and targeted interventions to
interrupt transmission and prevent further spread of
the outbreak. Strengthening cross-border collaboration
and implementing targeted interventions for the most
affected groups will be critical to containing the outbreak
and preventing further spread.

...

Weekly bulletins on outbreaks and other emergencies | WHO | Regional Office for Africa

https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/disease-outbreaks/outbreaks-and-other-emergencies-updates

The World Health Organization (WHO) is building a better future for people everywhere. The Organization aims to provide every child, woman and man with the best chance to lead a healthier, longer life.