DRC - Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak 2023

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Maniema: Suspicious cases of Monkey Pox reported in Punia

Published on Sat, 21/01/2023 - 10:17 | Modified on Sat, 21/01/2023 - 10:17

Suspected cases of Monkey Pox are reported in the health zone of Punia, the provincial health minister indicated on Friday January 20 to Radio Okapi.

Two suspected cases have been isolated and their samples taken will be brought to Kindu, the capital of Maniema province, says the provincial Minister of Health of Maniema, Junior Kibungi Mutanga:

“The province has just been informed that there is the appearance of suspected cases of Monkey Pox in the health zone of Punia. It is an eight-month-old girl with her mother. Are the two cases that are so far identified and the samples have been taken. For the moment we have just made arrangements so that we can bring the samples to Kindu and then to the INRB (National Institute for Biomedical Research) Kinshasa”.

Dr. Junior Kibungi Mutanga invites the population to be vigilant to prevent the spread of the disease.

“What we can ask the people, because it is a contagious disease, to make arrangements when there is a suspected case that appears in the community, to bring this case first to the center health and nursing staff will make arrangements for this case, "he continued.

According to him, community surveillance will be carried out "and whenever there is someone who presents the signs. That is to say, appearances of pimples on the skin, on the face, on the level of the palms of the hands to rush quickly to the level of the health center”.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/01/...des-cas-suspects-de-monkey-pox-signales-punia

 

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DRC: technicians from veterinary laboratories in training on the diagnosis of Monkeypox

Through hbb-January 30, 2023

Kinshasa, January 30, 2023 (ACP).- Veterinary laboratory technicians from Goma in North Kivu and Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga and those from the city of Kinshasa have been participating since Monday at the headquarters of the veterinary and central laboratory in Kinshasa. , training on the diagnosis of monkey pox (Monkeypox), an endemic disease in the DRC with nearly 80% of cases recorded worldwide.

“The objective of this workshop is to build the capacity of veterinary laboratory technicians in the DRC in monkeypox diagnostic techniques ,” said the biosafety and biosecurity focal point of the Kinshasa veterinary laboratory, Dr. Daudet Byakya.

The specific objectives, he added, consist of arming these learners with biosafety and biosecurity measures as well as training them in sample collection techniques, the use of serological tests and the use of the molecular biology technique (PCR) for the diagnosis of monkeypox.

Dr. Byakya noted that faced with this situation, the Congolese government has put in place a Monkeypox control strategy in order to stop the chain of contamination of this epidemic.

This, for him, justified the holding of this workshop which benefits from the assistance of the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) and the American Agency for International Development (USAID), with a view to enable early detection and support surveillance.

The first description in humans, we recall, dates back to 1970 in Basankusu, in the DRC. It is a disease with very high epidemic potential characterized by fever, vesiculo-pustular eruptions, adenitis, sore throat and others.

Since 2022, the country has been affected by the epidemic form of Monkeypox. With 21 of its 26 provinces affected, more than 2,200 cases have been recorded in the provinces of Sankuru, Tshopo, Maniema and Tshuapa considered the epicenter of the disease.

Wild animals including rats, squirrels, primates could constitute the reservoir of the Monkeypox virus.

ACP/ODM

https://acpcongo.com/index.php/2023...-en-formation-sur-le-diagnostic-du-monkeypox/

 

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haut-Uélé

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Haut-Uélé: A person dies of an unknown illness in Pawa, warns MP Geneviève Inagosi

An unknown disease caused the death of a woman in the health zone of Pawa, territory of Wamba in the province of Haut-Uele.

By Lydie Matadi

published on Mar 29, 2023 at 9:16:31 PM

According to national deputy Geneviève Inagosi Kasongo, who provided this information to Ouragan.cd, the victim's husband developed symptoms that are similar to monkey pox or monkey pox. After treatment at the Ibambi health center, the patient returned home. He was able to realize that his pregnant wife also had the same symptoms. She died three days after her admission to the same medical training.

“ And at the moment, almost the whole family is showing symptoms of this disease”, indicates the elected representative of Wamba. “I am alerting the public to the appearance of an unknown disease that looks like monkey pox or monkey pox in the Pawa health zone, Wamba territory in the Haut-Uele province. A case of death has already been reported, after only 72 hours of hospitalization. Three other members of the same family develop the same symptoms and all these cases are located not far from the city of Ibambi. Since the beginning of the year, other cases have also been recorded in the same health zone. The follow-up of cases and contacts is in progress without unfortunately adapted means because the health zone of Pawa has neither ambulance, nor adequate materials for the detection or management of such a disease”,she lamented.

The former Minister of Gender points out that the transport of patients in this part of the country is done by motorcycle with a high risk of contagion that one can imagine. Ms. Inagosi Kasongo thus launched an appeal to the government and health partners for a major response to be organized in order to first determine the nature of the disease and then very quickly deploy the teams and care materials.

Health sources indicate that in 2022 the monkey pox epidemic affected around ten provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Maniema. Out of 1,200 reported cases, 58 deaths had been recorded. The country does not yet have a specific treatment or vaccine against this disease, but management is essentially symptomatic.

https://ouragan.cd/2023/03/haut-uele...evieve-inagosi

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DRC – Ituri: the mpox viral disease is rampant in the Pawa health zone

Welcome
Health

by infocongovirtuel
March 31, 2023

The civil society of Wamba warns of the presence of the disease of mpox or monkeypox currently in the city of Ibambi, territory of Wamba, province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The PAWA Health Zone has recorded several cases since Tuesday, March 28, including a member of the same family, all infected with this highly contagious disease.

The head of the city of Ibambi already reports the death of a woman, while her husband and the second wife, together with the children are also affected and hospitalized. The alert was sent to the provincial minister of health in order to avoid any spread in the region.

Monkey pox or simian pox is a rare viral infectious disease caused by the Monkeypox virus transmitted primarily by rodents to humans and then from person to person by droplet or close contact. The symptoms are comparable to those of smallpox.

RGL

https://congovirtuel.com/informatio...-la-mpox-sevit-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de-pawa/

 

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sud-Ubangi


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Sud-Ubangi: cases of Monkey Pox reported in Kungu

04.04.2023
provinces

Several cases similar to Monkey Pox disease are reported in the Dongo sector in Kumu territory located in the southwest of the province of Sud-Ubangi.

According to the administrator of the territory who confirms the information this Tuesday, April 04, the localities of Bunguali, Maleke and Iyale are affected by this disease. Rémy Atiku also claims that this virus has been circulating since 2022 in this part of the country.

"I have just contacted the Mokoli zone head doctor on the phone. He confirmed to me that this epidemic is much more in the Bomboli groupement and a few cases are reported in Maleke and then in Iyele. But they are raising awareness the population to seek treatment in health structures, but the concern is that the population still wanted to be treated traditionally, this is what caused damage", declared the territorial authority which says to wait for the data of laboratory.

As a reminder, Monkey Pox or monkeypox is a zoonosis transmitted from animals to humans through the consumption of primates and rodents that are already dead and through physical contact. The disease is often manifested by skin rashes, fatigue, and breathing difficulties. But there is no appropriate care, as it is of animal origin, the care is symptomatic.


https://www.mediacongo.net/article-...i_des_cas_de_monkey_pox_signales_a_kungu.html

 

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Monkey Pox epidemic: 45 deaths recorded in 4 months at Tshopo

Posted on Tue, 02/05/2023 - 15:28 | Modified on Tue, 02/05/2023 - 15:28
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Forty-five deaths linked to monkey disease or Monkey Pox have been recorded out of a total of 546 cases recorded, between January and April 2023 in the province of Tshopo.

Three interior health zones are the most affected:

Yahuma
Basoko
Isangi.

The city of Kisangani is also affected.

“ We have in front of us, a real epidemic. There are even health zones in the city of Kisangani which have notified cases: there are Lubunga and Kabondo. There are suspected cases that have been reported in the Tshopo health zone on site in town. In terms of lethality, the deaths linked to this disease, we practically occupy the first place , ”said the analyst in charge of epidemiological surveillance at the Tshopo Provincial Health Division, Dr. Franck Nebwa.

Still according to him, a response plan to avoid the expansion of this epidemic has been put in place.

" We haven't crossed our arms, we have drawn up a response plan, there are activities related to surveillance, related to the management of these cases, there are activities related to the diagnosis, there are activities related to the prevention and control of infection ", continued Doctor Franck Nebwa.

According to the Provincial Health Division, the Monkey Pox epidemic is aggravated by the lack of awareness on prevention.

“ As the very name suggests, monkeypox is transmitted to humans. And the man contracts this disease by coming into contact with the sick animals and then the man transmits to another, a human-to-human transmission. The first prevention is the washing of hands, there is also this awareness against the handling of animal carcasses. If we abstain from all that, we will really be away from this disease ,” said Dr. Nebwa.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/05/02/actualite/sante/epidemie-de-monkey-pox-45-deces-enregistres-en-4-mois-la-tshopo​

 

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Province de Mai-Ndombe​-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai-Ndombe_Province
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Mai-Ndombe: about thirty deaths caused by the Monkeypox epidemic

mniMNI MAY 9, 2023 HEALTH

Inongo, May 9, 2023 (ACP).- About thirty people have died in the past three months as a result of a severe epidemic of Monkeypox or monkey pox which is currently raging in the urban-rural health zone of Inongo in the province of Mai-Ndombe in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“ The Monkeypox epidemic which has been raging for almost three months in this health jurisdiction has caused the death of around thirty people, including adults and children. The means of response and the strategies to be put in place were at the center of an important meeting organized on Monday at the central office of the urban-rural health zone of Inongo”, declared Monday Mr. Mbokolo Mputu, who supervised this meeting.

“ This epidemic, which is raging in several localities in the Bolia sector, in particular Boliawiyangwa, Isango, Itito, Boliompeti, Lokanga and Mbale, has spread to the groups of Ibenga and Ngongiyembe in the Inongo sector. 20 health areas out of a total of 34 are affected by this epidemic ,” he said.

“ I have just returned from a trip to Ngoyiyembe where I deplored several cases of Monkeypox among the population ,” declared Mr. Faustin Bongo Mpia, a provincial health inspector.

The national program for the fight against Monkeypox and viral haemorrhagic fevers (PNLMPX-FHV) has indicated that except for the provinces of Kinshasa, South Kivu and Haut-Katanga, all the other provinces are affected by this disease. Since the beginning of the year, the DRC has recorded 2,061 cases of monkeypox, including 86 deaths. Worldwide, more than 5,000 cases are recorded each year.

Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus that is characterized by skin rashes, fevers, headaches, muscle and back pain, lack of energy and lymphadenopathy.

It is a pathology that most often develops in peripheral areas and is easily contracted during direct contact with the patient. This is an emerging disease for which there are many challenges to be met, in particular those related to the vaccine, specific drugs, the reception of rapid tests as well as case investigations, recalls the PNLMPX-FHV).

ACP/Kayu

https://acpcongo.com/index.php/2023... de morts causées,par l'épidémie de Monkeypox

 

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Equateur: more than 700 cases of Monkey pox including 58 deaths recorded since January

Published on Wed, 10/05/2023 - 16:13 | Modified on Wed, 05/10/2023 - 16:14


The provincial Minister of Health of Equateur, Doctor Mbula, launched, Tuesday, May 9, a plea for the eradication of the epidemic of monkey pox in this province. According to him, more than 700 cases have already been notified and there have been 58 deaths to date since last January.

All 18 health zones are affected. The epicenter of the epidemic is in Bolomba, with the health zones of Bikoro and Ingende.

Given the scale of the disease, the province is requesting emergency support from the central government and external partners.

The first cases were notified by the health zone of Bolomba, bordering the territory of Befale (Tshuapa), where the disease is widespread. It then affected all 18 health zones in Equateur province.

For more than 4 months, the province has been fighting timidly for the care of the sick, with the support of the WHO, says the provincial minister of health.

But, given the extent of the disease, Dr. Mbula made a plea to the central government for the implementation of the Monkey-Pox control program and the dispatch of experts with drugs:

“… We are in the process of advocating at the national level and to technical and financial partners to come and help us in this situation. We are going to ensure that a specific program is put in place so that we can fight this disease in Ecuador”.

By way of prevention, the Minister invites the population to avoid eating game found dead or sick in the forest.
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https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/05/...e-monkey-pox-dont-58-deces-enregistres-depuis

 

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DRC – Monkeypox epidemic: More than 3,900 cases recorded from January to May 2023 (Response team)

June 7, 2023
By Writing

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a resurgence of the Monkeypox epidemic, otherwise known as monkeypox. The alert was launched on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, during a press conference co-hosted by representatives of the Ministries of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Public Health and also Fisheries and Livestock.

According to figures put forward by the National Coordination of the Response to Monkeypox, since the beginning of 2023 until May 28, the DRC has notified 3,962 cases of this disease, i.e. 70% of all recorded cases. during the year 2022 (5677 cases).

This disease, discovered in 1970, is rife, according to the same source, in the provinces of Kasaï, Sankuru, Tshopo, Maniema, Tshuapa and Sud-Ubangi.

For the "One Health" Coordination Commission, responsible for monitoring this disease, understanding monkeypox still presents many gray areas, the animal reservoir is not yet clearly identified, the risk factors for transmission zonotic is eternal and the ecological conditions favorable to its emergence are not completely described.

In their words of the circumstances, the representatives of the Ministers of the Environment, Public Health and Fisheries and Livestock reaffirmed the government's support in the fight against this disease, the intensification of communication in Kinshasa and in the epidemic areas, the pooling of efforts with government stakeholders but also with technical and financial partners.

Doctor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, during his presentation, indicated that, in recent years, epidemics of Monkeypox have become more and more frequent, probably because of:

The disappearance of immunity in the population;
The increased dependence of villagers on bushmeat and;
Susceptible population growth.
According to the Congolese virologist, the cessation of vaccination against monkeypox in 1980 would also be at the root of the resurgence of this disease.

Monkeypox is a dangerous disease caused by virus of animal origin. It is transmitted by direct contact from the sick animal with or without sign to the non-sick person but also from the sick mother to the child during pregnancy.

This disease is manifested by high fever, rashes with lesions filled with fluid or pus that eventually dry up.

This press conference was organized with the support of USAID and Breakthrough Action.

Moloway Jael

https://actu30.cd/2023/06/rdc-epide...nses-de-janvier-a-mai-2023-equipe-de-riposte/
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DRC: KINSHASA IS WORRIED ABOUT THE MONKEYPOX EPIDEMIC WHICH HAS KILLED 192 PEOPLE ACCORDING TO A LATEST REPORT

DRC: Kinshasa is worried about the Monkeypox epidemic which has killed 192 people according to a latest report

Posted On:06/07/2023 Posted By:© 2023 Africa Agency

Kinshasa authorities announced on Tuesday that Monkeypox disease, also known as "monkey pox", has killed 192 people out of more than 3,962 suspected cases, raising concerns among senior leaders in Kinshasa who have appealed to the international community to come to their aid.

The alert was made during a press conference co-hosted by three Secretaries General of the Ministries of Environment and Sustainable Development, Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, as well as Fisheries and Livestock.

Of all suspected cases, 375 have already been confirmed. If the government has set up a crisis unit to fight against the epidemic, the spread of the disease continues rapidly and worries the authorities who invite the population to take more responsibility by respecting the required hygiene measures.

A call for international support was made at the press conference, organized with financial support from USAID and technical support from Breakthrough Action. Eradicating this disease in the DRC is an emergency, according to Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, director general of the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB).

Monkeypox disease is transmitted through direct contact with bodily secretions or bodily fluids of infected people or animals that carry the disease. The symptoms of the disease include headaches, muscle pain, or a rash.

...https://www.agenceafrique.com/44492...-a-fait-192-morts-selon-un-dernier-bilan.html


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DRC: from January to May, the country recorded more than 3,900 cases of Monkeypox, or around 70% of all cases in 2022

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 2:06 p.m.

Since the beginning of 2023 until May 28, the DRC has notified 3962 cases of Monkeypox (Monkeypx), or 70% of all cases recorded during the year 2022, 5677 cases, according to national coordination of the response to Monkeypox.

Equateur province recorded 1,075 cases, or 27 percent of all cases across the country, followed by Sankuru province, with 880 cases.

“In terms of cumulative cases notified since the beginning of this year, the national coordination of the Monkeypox response affirms that it is the DPS Ecuador has more cases, ie 1075 cases which represent 27%. It also notified more deaths, i.e. 82 deaths or a lethality of 7.6%. The age group from 5 to 15 years (33.1%) is the most affected. There are more deaths in the age group of children from 5 to 15 years old (34.8%)”, affirms the coordination.

During epidemiological week 21, from May 22 to 28, the DRC notified 242 cases, and Ecuador particularly notified 118 cases, or 43.5%.

“During S21, 8 provinces reported 243 cases of MonkeyPOX including 7 deaths (2.9%). DPS Ecuador notified more cases, 43.5% (118/243). The ZS Bolomba in the Equator DPS notified more cases, i.e. 44 cases including 2 deaths (4.5%). 5 HZs most affected (Cases|Deaths): Bolomba (795|71), Bena dibele in Sankuru (299|1), Yahuma (177|20), Yakusu (156|8), Bengamisa (156|0). These are almost the same DPS who, for the last 3 weeks, notify the cases of MPOX. The lethality in the ZS Bolomba is increasingly worrying with a lethality of 8.9%, ”says the coordination.

The national coordination of the Monkeypox response says it faces certain challenges, including the extent of the disease in the country, the low detection of cases, both clinical and biological, due to the lack of investigation, the lack of sampling (Lack of kit ), and the lack of laboratory diagnosis; the low involvement of the community in the fight against Monkeypox, and the low involvement of other sectors in the fight.

Notification and weekly reporting has improved significantly since the start of case notification outside endemic regions in May 2022. It has increased from a weekly average of 58 in 2021 to 186 in 2023; The same pace has been maintained since the beginning of this year 2023 to date. Indeed, 3962 cases notified in 2023 corresponds to approximately 70% of all cases in 2022.

Therese Ntumba

https://actualite.cd/2023/06/07/rdc...s-de-3900-cas-de-monkeypox-soit-environ-70-de

 

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A senator warns of the risk of Monkeypox epidemic in Kinshasa

June 12, 2023

Kinshasa, June 12, 2023 (ACP).- A senator who intervened by motion of information, in accordance with article 94.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Senate, questioned the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday on the "lightning" progress of the Monkeypox or monkeypox epidemic from the province of Mai-Ndombe to Kinshasa.

“ A new scourge, namely the Monkeypox epidemic, has been shaking the province of Mai-Ndombe for more than five months. This epidemic remains a permanent danger for the city-province of Kinshasa because of its rapid progression, given that the Mai-Ndombe-Kinshasa corridor is still very busy, not to mention the high population concentration of two provinces. The intervention of the Ministry of Health and that of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Actions is essential" , recommended Senator Frederick Mwamfwa Bopali, during the plenary session of Monday, June 12, 2023, chaired by Professor Modeste Bahati Lukwebo , Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament.

The outbreak started in Inongo territory, considered the epicenter, and spread to Kiri, Bolobo and Yumbi territories, Senator Mwamfwa noted.

According to him, the latest statistics related to this epidemic indicate that more than 543 cases have been identified including 46 deaths throughout the province while the territory of Inongo alone has recorded more than 309 cases including 28 deaths.

The elected representative Mwanfwa requested, to do this, the involvement of the Senate office so that appropriate and effective measures are taken at the government level, in order to stem this epidemic by properly taking care of the victims.

This senator concluded his intervention by reminding the government that the province of Mai-Ndombe, which is still plagued by insecurity, in the territory of Kwamouth, which has extended into the provinces of Kwilu and Kwango, deserves attention. particular and urgent in the face of this epidemic.

Monkeypox or Monkeypox is a rare viral infectious disease caused by the virus transmitted primarily by rodents to humans and then from person to person by droplet or close contact. Its symptoms are comparable to those of smallpox, but the disease is less severe. CPA/


https://acp.cd/sante/un-senateur-alerte-sur-le-risque-depidemie-de-monkeypox-a-kinshasa/

 

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DRC: more than 5,200 cases of Monkeypox recorded between January and June 2023

Tuesday, July 11, 2023 - 4:43 p.m.

The Ministry of Health's Monkeypox Incident Management System has communicated on registered suspected cases of this epidemic from the beginning of the year until June 25th.

According to the data, the country has recorded 5,236 cases including 229 deaths, representing a lethality of 4.6%, in 17 provinces out of 26 (65%). These cases were notified in 155 health zones out of the 519 in the country, or 29%.

“In terms of cumulative cases notified since the beginning of this year, DPS Equateur has more cases, ie 1545 cases which represent 31%. It also notified more deaths, i.e. 108 deaths or a lethality of 6.9%. The age group from 5 to 15 years (31.86%) is the most affected. There are more deaths in the age group of children from 5 to 15 years old (33.58%)”, informs the system.

The system says it faces several challenges, including the progression of the disease in the country; the absence of a care kit, low detection of both clinical and biological cases; low involvement of the community in the fight against Mpox, and low involvement of other sectors in the fight.

Therese Ntumba

https://actualite.cd/2023/07/11/rdc...keypox-enregistres-entre-janvier-et-juin-2023
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DRC: more than 280 cases of Monkeypox notified in the first week of July

Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - 1:51 p.m.

The Ministry of Health's Monkeypox Incident Management System presented the epidemiological situation for week 27 (July 03-09).

288 suspected cases including 31 deaths (10.7%) were notified during the week. 4 out of 26 provincial health divisions reported cases, i.e. 15%; and 24 out of 519 health zones were affected, or 5%. The Equateur DPS notified more cases, i.e. 63% (182/288).

“In terms of cumulative cases notified since the beginning of this year, the Equateur DPS has more cases, 1939 cases which represent 35%. It also notified more deaths, i.e. 159 deaths or a lethality of 8.2%. The age group from 5 to 15 years (30.7%) is the most affected. There are more deaths in the age group of children from 1 to 5 years old (32.98%),” says the Monkeypox management system.

Ongoing activities against Monkeypox include the receipt of 200 collection kits from the School of Public Health and 200 from WHO for the team already in Bolamba in DPS Ecuador; the evaluation and supervision meeting of the general hospitals of Dikungu (Sankuru) and Yahuma (Tshopo) on the management of Mpox cases.

Therese Ntumba

https://actualite.cd/2023/07/18/rdc...eypox-notifies-la-premiere-semaine-de-juillet

 

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MONKEYPOX AFFECTS 30% OF DRC'S NATIONAL HEALTH ZONES

The health situation linked to monkeypox is not weakening in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 30% of health zones are now affected by this epidemic.

Since the beginning of this year 2023, the DRC has recorded 6,914 cases of monkeypox disease, according to figures communicated on August 9 by the Congolese health authorities. The number of deaths now stands at 328, representing a fatality rate of 4.7%.

“The age group of 5 to 15 years (31.5%) is the most affected. There are more deaths in the age group of children from 5 to 15 years (33.19%)”, explains the coordination of the fight against monkeypox in the DRC.

Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted by infected animals, most commonly rodents. It can then spread from person to person.

Its common symptoms are a rash that can last two to four weeks, with fever, headache, muscle aches and lack of energy.

-https://www.agenceafrique.com/46142...-des-zones-nationales-de-sante-de-la-rdc.html

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DRC: more than 6,900 cases of monkey pox (MonkeyPox) notified between January and July 2023

Wednesday, August 9, 2023 - 2:04 p.m.

The national coordination for the fight against Monkeypox said that the country has recorded since the beginning of the year 6,914 cases of the monkeypox disease called Monkeypox, including 328 deaths (4.7%).

17 provincial health directorates out of 26 were affected and 159 health zones out of the 519 or 30% in the country were affected.

“In terms of cumulative cases notified since the beginning of this year, the Ecuador DPS has more cases, ie 2691 cases which represent 39%. It also notified more deaths, i.e. 178 deaths or a lethality of 6.6%. The age group from 5 to 15 years (31.5%) is the most affected. There are more deaths in the age group of children from 5 to 15 years old (33.19%)”, informs the coordination.

Regarding week 30, from July 24 to 30, 392 cases including 4 deaths were notified. 6 provinces notified 329 cases of MPOX including 04 deaths (1%). DPS Ecuador notified more cases, 57% (225/392). The ZS Bolomba in the Equator DPS notified more cases, i.e. 141 cases, including no deaths.

Among the confirmed cases for S30, 152 (44.9%) cases whose sex was mentioned, are female. Those under 20 are more affected. Note that the age group of 0 to 5 years includes more cases.

Therese Ntumba

https://actualite.cd/2023/08/09/rdc...e-monkeypox-notifies-entre-janvier-et-juillet

 

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Facing an epidemic without a vaccine: the case of monkeypox in Congo-Kinshasa

It is without vaccines at its disposal that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tries to control a long epidemic of monkey pox (Mpox).

Sabrina El Faiz
Written on 08/14/2023​

It makes less headlines, but is still with us. On May 11, after a year of the monkeypox pandemic ( renamed Mpox ) causing more than 87,000 confirmed human cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Mpox is no longer a public health emergency. of international concern, given the decrease in cases in the Western world.

But the epidemiological reality is quite different in certain African countries which are facing a worrying spread of the disease. In Central Africa, monkeypox or rather Mpox continues to wreak havoc. In Congo-Kinshasa, where the first human case of the disease was discovered in 1970, the epidemic is currently affecting several provinces of the country.

6,914 cases, including 328 deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the year in the DRC. According to the latest figures, 17 of the country's 26 provinces are affected by the epidemic. A balance sheet which could still increase, given that very few patients have the means to access health centers. And when they get there, the drugs are nowhere to be found.

No vaccines against the disease

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the countries endemic to the disease. It even faces the deadliest variant of Mpox​ . Despite this, it does not yet have specific treatments or vaccines.

To cope with the increase, Kinshasa has reinforced active surveillance of cases. As for the patients, "the care is essentially symptomatic, but we also combine antibiotics which have nevertheless been proven to prevent secondary bacterial infections" , explained recently Professor Mbala Placide, head of the epidemiology department at the Institute. national biomedical research center to our colleagues from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

It should be remembered that monkeypox is a contagious disease, but it is less so than smallpox, which was eradicated in the late 1970s, and than chickenpox or even measles. It is transmitted by direct contact as well as by droplets of saliva when coming into close contact with an infected person.


https://www.allodocteurs.africa/aff...-variole-du-singe-au-congo-kinshasa-8182.html

 

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A case of Monkey Pox reported to the General Reference Hospital of Kinshasa

August 22, 2023

Kinshasa, August 23, 2023 (ACP).- A case of Monkey Pox, otherwise known as monkey pox, has been reported to the Kinshasa General Reference Hospital (HGRK, ex Mama Yemo) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, learned the ACP Tuesday from local health source. " The suspected case of Monkey Pox at the general hospital (ex Mama Yemo) was confirmed after analysis by the INRB ", declared the medical director of this hospital, Dr Jean-Paul Divengi Nzambi. And to add: " Now, we are continuing with the constituted response team which has responded promptly since the arrival of the patient and the alert that I launched on the first day ".

Dr. Divengi, for this purpose, said that they managed to create an isolation site despite the difficulty of infrastructure in this health facility in transition.

Contacted by the ACP, Dr. Chris Kacita, in charge of operations in the response to Monkeypox, said that this case of monkeypox came from Inongo, in Maï-Ndombe. He arrived in Kinshasa on August 13 through the port of N'dolo. “ This suspected case of Monkey Pox arrived at the HGRK emergency room on August 17, after he had gone to a health center in Ndolo where he had gone to be consulted for a sore on his foot,” he said . he explains. “ We were made aware on August 18 and after taking samples, the disease was confirmed on Monday, before adding that investigations were carried out to identify contacts of patients in different health centers and places of residence where he passed ". Two other suspected cases have been identified and isolated, pending laboratory results, he said.

Prevention measures to adopt against Monkeypox

Dr. Kacita has published certain preventive measures, in particular the wearing of masks, personal hygiene and the monitoring of entry and exit points (ports, airports, etc.). “ Monkeypox is a disease like any other. In case of symptoms, including fever, cough and rash, go to the Hospital for care ,” he said, announcing: “ The care is free. It is ensured in the specialized services of the HGRK ”.

Monkey pox or Monkeypox, caused by a virus transmitted to humans by animals, most often rodents, is a zoonotic disease. Until June 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo had recorded more than 3,000 cases of this disease, it is recalled. CPA/


https://acp.cd/sante/un-cas-de-monkey-pox-signale-a-lhopital-general-de-reference-de-kinshasa/

 

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Province du Kwango
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwango


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Kwango: a suspected case of Monkeypox and around twenty contacts identified in Panzi

Monday, August 21, 2023 - 9:19 p.m.

A suspected case of Monkeypox has been recorded in Panzi health zone, Kwango province, for a few days. This is a 10-year-old child admitted to the Panzi General Referral Hospital who presented with fever and rashes.

The health information office confirms that the samples have been taken and sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for confirmation.

Dr. Tchotcho Tonaka, head of the office responsible for health information, also specifies that some provisional measures have been taken to avoid probable contamination.

"We have listed about 28 contacts and among the measures, there is the isolation of this patient, the sensitization of the community, the management of this case", he said.

The DRC has recorded since the beginning of the year until last July 6,914 cases of the monkey pox disease called Monkeypox, including 328 deaths (4.7%), according to the national coordination for the fight against Monkeypox.

Jonathan Mesa, in Bandundu

https://actualite.cd/2023/08/21/kwa...x-et-une-vingtaine-de-contacts-recenses-panzi

 

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Province du Kongo Central​
-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kongo_Central

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Matadi: a suspected case of Monkey pox identified in Kikanda Hospital

Posted on Fri, 25/08/2023 - 15:11 | Modified on Fri, 25/08/2023 - 15:11

A suspected case of Monkey pox was recorded on Thursday August 24 at Kikanda Hospital in Matadi (Kongo-Central).

The head doctor of the Matadi health zone, Dr. Christian Kuzoma, delivered this information on the same Thursday to Radio Okapi.

He indicates that it is a 27-year-old man who presented symptoms of monkeypox, a week after his return from Kinshasa:

“This is a 27-year-old man who had previously presented with fevers then there were rashes in the form of pustules and scabs. And the samples have been taken and sent to Kinshasa, we are awaiting confirmation from the INRB”.

Dr Christian Kuzoma affirms that this patient including all the people who were in contact with him are quarantined.

According to him, Monkey pox is not a curative disease.

To prevent its transmission, the head doctor of the Matadi health zone calls on the population to respect barrier measures once someone around them presents the rashes.

“ The message we can give is that the transmission of this disease is like that of COVID-19 but here we have transmission by droplets, saliva and sexual contamination is also possible”, he said . underlines.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/08/...e-monkey-pox-recense-dans-lhopital-de-kikanda
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Monkey Pox epidemic: the EU allocates 350,000 euros in aid to fight the disease

Posted on Tue, 08/29/2023 - 16:32 | Modified on Tue, 29/08/2023 - 16:50

The European Union (EU) announced on Tuesday August 29 that it had committed additional humanitarian aid of 350,000 euros to support the fight against the Monkey Pox epidemic which is spreading in the DRC.

Congolese health authorities report nearly 9,000 cases and 500 deaths during the current year.

The situation has worsened, particularly in three health zones in the province of Maniema. Kinshasa, the capital, is also affected with two patients confirmed and treated since last week.

This situation leads “the EU to intensify its support through the strengthening of response capacities, in particular by means of surveillance, community awareness, diagnosis and treatment”, underlines this organization in a press release.

“The emergency funds allocated by the EU will help our humanitarian partner ALIMA to meet urgent and critical needs related to training and capacity building in disease surveillance, case management and infection prevention through community engagement, health promotion and outbreak response preparedness, as well as capacity building of health personnel, structures and the health system," said Johan Heffinck, Head of Office of the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

This project will have a duration of 5 months, starting in August 2023.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/08/...alloue-350-000-euros-daide-pour-lutter-contre

 

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DRC: in the province of Mai-Ndombe, a hospital facing the influx of cases of monkeypox

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a hospital in Inongo, capital of the province of Mai-Ndombe, is facing, like others in the country, cases of monkeypox, a disease which has killed at least 330 dead in the country since the beginning of 2023.

Published on :08/31/2023 - 06:24
Modified :08/31/2023 - 12:10

By : RFI
With our special correspondent in Inongo, Pascal Mulegwa

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), monkeypox has not yet had its last word in several provinces. From January to July, the country recorded nearly 7,000 cases including at least 330 deaths, according to the national smallpox control coordination.

Seventeen of DRC's 26 provinces have reported cases. One of them is Mai-Ndombe, in the south-west of the country. If the city of Inongo, capital of the province, has not recorded any cases in recent months, its reference hospital continues to welcome new patients.

“ Every family has lost a member ”

Patients are isolated there in an old hospital room. That day, there were nine of them, including four members of the same family. Doctor Junior Mpeti makes his rounds to inspect them. At the door of the room, agents from the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa put on protective gowns and masks. “ Here is the new case we just received. He comes from a surrounding village, Nkondé. He has already reached stage two. We are in the process of taking care of him. There, they are taking the samples to send to the INRB in Kinshasa. »

It is from this same village, on the shores of Lake Mai-Ndombé, that Ilamba came after losing his son, his wife and his brother. " It was the child who infected us ," he says. After they died, we also got sick. After care administered locally, nothing changed, the patients became more and more numerous. We therefore left the area by canoe to arrive at Inongo. Every family has lost a member. »

The patients are in the process of stabilization, but half of them are wearing sunglasses, due to eye problems that the hospital is trying to understand.

“ There are attacks on the retina , explains Doctor Junior Mpeti. Then we have a case that we suspect has neurological damage. The studies are in progress, let's see how things will evolve . »

The sick benefit from free care, but their food needs are not covered. The response is also complicated because of the inaccessibility of the villages located in the heart of this young, poor and completely landlocked province.


https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20230...al-face-à-l-afflux-de-cas-de-variole-du-singe

 

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Maniema: at least 205 cases of Monkey Pox and 2 deaths recorded in 8 months

Published on Sun, 09/17/2023 - 9:25 p.m. | Modified on Sun, 09/17/2023 - 9:25 p.m.

Two people died out of around 250 cases of Monkey Pox, recorded between last January and August, in Maniema.

The provincial coordinator of the NGO One Health, Dr Saïdi Akimu, delivered these figures on Friday September 15 in Kindu to the interim governor of this province.

“ We have the town of Kindu with 42 cases, the territory of Kailo with 4 cases, that of Pangi with 3 cases, that of Kibombo with 125 cases. You yourself know that Kibombo is the epicenter. The territory of Kasongo with two cases, the territory of Lubutu with 25 cases, that of Kabambare with 1 case and that of Punia with 4 cases. In all of this, there are two deaths ,” he explained.

Dr Saïdi Akimu said that Monkey Pox disease is already rampant in the corners of Maniema.

Presenting the dark picture of this disease, he said he wanted to seek the involvement of the provincial executive and seek partners to deal with this zoonosis.

The One Health platform works with three ministries, namely: Environment, Human Health and Animal Health.

Last August, the European Union announced that it had committed additional humanitarian aid of 350,000 euros to support the fight against the Monkey Pox or monkeypox epidemic which is spreading in the DRC.

The rise in cases of this pathology led the EU to intensify its support by strengthening response capacities, in particular through surveillance, community awareness, diagnostics and treatment.

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https://www.radiookapi.net/2023/09/...e-monkey-pox-et-2-deces-enregistres-en-8-mois
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