WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 51: 13 – 19 December 2021
Data as reported by: 17:00; 19 December 2021
...
Monkeypox Democratic Republic of the Congo
196 Cases
24 Death
12.3% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
A monkeypox outbreak was declared by the Congolese authorities
on 9 December 2021 in Tunda health district in Kibombo territory
in Maniema province following disease confirmation at the
National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB). Seven of the 17
collected samples were analysed at the INRB, of which five were
positive for orthopoxvirus, the virus responsible for Monkeypox
disease. This outbreak follows another that occurred in 13 health
districts across seven provinces (Equateur, Haut-Uele, MaiNdombe,
Maniema, Mongala, Sud-Ubangi and Tshopo), with 2
918 suspected cases and 79 deaths (case fatality ration (CFR) =
2.7%) reported from week 1 to week 47 (ending 28 November
2021).
The first suspected monkeypox cases were first reported in Tunda
health district in week 39 (ending 3 October 2021). An increase
of reported cases was noted reaching a peak in week 46 (ending
21 November 2021) and week 47 (ending 8 November 2021)
with 43 cases reported each week. After this peak, the number of
cases declined in week 48 (ending 5 December 2021) and week
49 (ending 12 December 2021).
As of week 49, (ending 12 December 2021), a total of 196 cases
and 24 deaths (CFR) = 12.2%) have been reported in Tunda health
district. To date, only Tunda health district has reported cases
across the Maniema province. Cases have been reported from six
health areas: Utshu health area with the highest number of cases
and deaths (90 cases; 11 deaths), followed by the health areas
of Weta (34 cases; 5 deaths), Kembeyule (29 cases; 1 death),
Dikululu (23 cases; 4 deaths), Ongeri (19 cases; 3 deaths) and
Dembo (1 cases; 0 deaths).
The majority 129 (65.8%) of cases are more than five years old.
Most of the deaths are among the 12–59-months age group (11
deaths), followed by 5-15 years (7 deaths) and then over 15 years
(5 deaths). Males and females have been affected in almost the
same proportion.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
A local response committee has been set up under the
leadership of the local traditional leader.
The technical surveillance unit of Tunda health district was
activated, and the line list updates are ongoing as well as the
community case finding activities.
Five treatment centres have been set up in Weta, Ohambe,
Dembo, Difuma I and Koso for case management and sample
collection to be confirmed at INRB.
A communication plan has been developed and risk
communication activities including messaging on the
disease through local churches and schools are underway.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
Monkeypox case was first detected in the Democratic Republic
of the Congo in 1970.
Since 2005, it remains the country that reports the highest
number of cases of over 1 000 per year. In 2021, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo has registered two monkeypox outbreaks,
however the ongoing health workers strike may jeopardize the
outbreak response activities in Maniema province.
PROPOSED ACTIONS
The required efforts should be deployed to ensure that
patients are isolated, necessary measures to prevent
airborne transmission are taken and whenever possible only
vaccinated health care providers should take care of the
monkeypox patients.
Risk communication activities as well as community
mobilization, active case finding, contact tracing and case
management should continue
Efforts should be deployed to end health workers strike with
aim of resuming normal health care activities as quickly as
possible.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/350880/OEW51-1319122021.pdf
