DRC - Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak 2024

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Equateur: Provincial Health Division Provided with Anti-MPOX Drugs

July 7, 2024

Mbandaka, July 7, 2024 (ACP).- The provincial health division (DPS) of Equateur, in the northwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was provided with a large batch of medicines by the provincial assembly, to fight against Mpox or monkeypox, the ACP learned on Sunday from an administrative source.

" We, the provincial elected officials, have made a commitment to provide support to the Provincial Health Division and its response team, in terms of medicines; then we will come to deliver a batch of food products for the sick. We have also promised to provide financial support to reward the providers ," declared Mr. Delssy Mata, President of the Provincial Assembly of Equateur.

" The members of the Mpox response team and the department concerned gave us an alarming report concerning the situation of this epidemic, which has become dangerous due to lack of resources and the drastic and profound lack of medicines for the treatment of patients, " he said.

The president of the provincial assembly, on this occasion, invited the national deputies and senators of Ecuador to this same " attitude of charity ."

" The correspondence of the provincial assembly of Equateur will be addressed to the national minister of health. Through the media, we will declare that the sick are abandoned, and that there is no support for them ," he said.

" The report that has reached us indicates that around 4,000 people are affected by this disease, with a provisional total of 288 deaths ," he lamented.

For her part, Dr Nicole Kombolani Afuya, head of the Provincial Health Division, was delighted with this donation: " We are grateful for this act carried out by our provincial deputies, because it is for the first time that the Lord repays you a hundredfold ," she said.

At the Mpox treatment center in Mbandaka, health workers involved in the fight against this disease are threatening to declare a strike and are demanding back pay, we learned.

It should be recalled that the delivery of these medicines took place at the Provincial Health Division (DPS), in the presence of provincial deputies of Equateur, health providers and the provincial president of the Red Cross. ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/equateur-la-di...a-sante-dotee-des-medicaments-contre-le-mpox/

 

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DRC: Displaced people attacked by Monkeypox in Goma and Nyiragongo

Thursday, July 11, 2024 - 08:13

In North Kivu, displaced people fleeing fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels are suffering from monkeypox. These displaced people are living in makeshift sites in and around Goma, as well as in Nyiragongo territory.

During the period from June 24 to July 10, the province recorded 21 cases of Mpox spread across three health zones of Nyiragongo, Goma and Karisimbi. According to the provincial health director of North Kivu, most of the sick are displaced persons.

"The first case appeared in the city of Goma, in the indigenous population precisely in the health zone of Karisimbi, the other cases that followed the majority are among the displaced persons who are in the camps in Goma and in the territory of Nyiragongo. These people live grouped together and they have many problems related to hygiene, nutrition and housing. This Mpox disease is extremely contagious and in these conditions we say that the province of North Kivu runs a great risk of a humanitarian catastrophe. This is why it becomes a concern for the population as well as for those responsible for the health system who must put in place approaches, programs to respond to this disease," said to ACTUALITE CD Désiré Buyana, the coordinator of the national communication program for the promotion of health in North Kivu.

Mpox is an infectious virus that spreads rapidly. The Provincial Health Division is calling for help.

"It is a question of soliciting the contribution of everyone. We need support from technical and financial partners such as the agencies of the United Nations system, local and international NGOs that intervene with humanitarian support because it becomes like one more problem that adds to the misery that the population is going through in this time of insecurity," he adds.

The disease is preventable thanks to the protective measures recommended by the authorities.

“For protection against monkeypox, avoid physical or sexual contact with anyone who shows signs of Monkeypox or any other fluids from sick people: blood, urine, saliva, vomit, sweat, sperm. When you yourself show suspicious signs of Monkeypox or in case of contact with a suspicious person, immediately wash your hands with soap or ash, then go to the nearest health center,” advised Prisca Kamala, health advisor to the governor of North Kivu.

Monkeypox, now called Mpox, is a disease caused by a virus of animal origin. It is transmitted mainly by direct contact with an infected animal, even without visible signs, or between people. Transmission can also occur through sexual contact and from mother to child during pregnancy.

Yvonne Kapinga, in Goma

https://actualite.cd/2024/07/11/rdc-les-deplaces-attaques-par-monkeypox-goma-et-nyiragongo

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South Kivu: three deaths due to Mpox in the Miti-Murhesa health zone

July 14, 2024

Bukavu, July 14, 2024 (ACP). – The Miti-Murhesa health zone, located 30 kilometers north of Bukavu, in South Kivu (east of the Democratic Republic of Congo), has reported 130 cases of Mpox (monkey pox) over the past three weeks, including three deaths, we learned on Sunday from a health source.

“ In three weeks, the Miti-Murhesa health zone recorded 130 cases of Mpox with three deaths, all children under five years old. Miti-Murhesa is one of the four priority health zones out of the 24 zones affected by the Mpox epidemic in South Kivu since 2023,” Dr. Justin Bengehya, epidemiologist and health information specialist at the provincial health division in South Kivu, told ACP on Sunday.

" It is the children who are the most affected because there is a hygiene problem in the Miti-Murhesa health zone, especially on the northern axis, more precisely at the Kavumu hospital where there is over-contamination. It is deplorable because on the isolation site, three to four children find themselves on the same bed with their parents," noted Dr. Bengehya.

" With our partners, we are working to activate the response. We have already deployed a medicine kit on site for free care of patients, and we are also installing a tent to reinforce this isolation unit ," said the epidemiologist.

The ways of spreading this disease include sexual intercourse and direct and indirect contact with the sick person. The ideal is to comply with hygiene practices such as regular hand washing as in the time of the Ebola virus disease, said this epidemiologist.

He said that out of the 34 health zones in South Kivu, 24 are affected by Mpox.

ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/sud-kivu-trois-deces-dus-au-mpox-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de-miti-murhesa/


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Maniema: a death due to Mpox recorded in Lubutu

July 15, 2024

Lubutu, July 15, 2024 (ACP).- One death due to Mpox (monkey pox), out of nine suspected cases, has been recorded since the beginning of July 2024 in the health zone of Lubutu, Maniema province (in the center-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo), ACP learned Monday from a medical source.

"We confirm the presence of suspected cases of Mpox in the rural health zone of Lubutu. For this current month of July, we have recorded nine suspected cases of Mpox who are interned and monitored at the general reference hospital of Lubutu, among whom there was the death of a 30-year-old woman," declared Dr. Kaleba Kikukama, medical director of this medical training.

"These interned patients present the following clinical signs: high fever, skin rashes in the form of pustules and scabs, mainly affecting the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, muscle pain, fever, headaches and others." These cases, he continued, come not only from the Lubutu center health zone, but also from neighboring health areas including the Mundo health area which records a high prevalence.

The medical director of the Lubutu general hospital also raised the problem of patient care.

" The hospital takes care of these patients, but there are difficulties in the supply of medicines and other necessary inputs to be used for this care. The patients are treated by external prescriptions ," he lamented.

In this regard, he called on the authorities to come to their aid, especially through support in the form of medication and services from the Ministry of Public Health, including the INRB, for confirmation of the diagnosis.

More than 47 suspected cases of Mpox were also recorded in June 2024 in the Katako health area, located 7 kilometers from Kindu in the Kailo rural health zone.

ACP/ODM

https://acp.cd/sante/maniema-un-deces-du-au-mpox-enregistre-a-lubutu/

 

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DRC: at least 11,000 cases and more than 400 deaths due to M.pox in 6 months

Published on Sun, 07/21/2024 - 11:39 | Modified on Sun, 07/21/2024 - 15:54


At least 11,164 cases and 447 deaths due to Monkey pox disease (M.pox) have been recorded since the beginning of 2024 in the DRC.

These figures provided by the Ministry of Public Health worry Doctor Jean-Jacques Mbungani, former Minister of Health.

This public health expert called on the Government on Saturday July 20 to take more action to limit the spread of this disease.

He is calling for Monkey Pox to be officially declared by the Government as a public health problem of international concern.

In this regard, according to him, there will be a greater focus on this epidemic from international organisations.

Dr Mbungani also mentions the proximity of the borders of Rwanda and Burundi which would favor the spread of this deadly disease:

“ We are on the border between Rwanda and Burundi. There are many cases reported in South Kivu, the Ministry of Health should monitor this closely to protect our populations .”

This doctor recommends that the Suminwa Government organize the response in collaboration with all health actors, in all mechanisms to slow the spread of M.Pox.

" We must make an effort to improve coordination and the mobilization of resources, in order to support the provinces with experts ," said Dr. Mbungani.

" But there are also efforts to be made to train these experts so that at the provincial level the care is efficient ," he added.

This former Minister of Health fears that because of the surge in Mpox cases, the DRC will be declared a "Country at risk of public health of international concern".

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/07/...s-et-plus-de-400-deces-dues-au-mpox-en-6-mois

 

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South Kivu: Official launch of medical activities against Mpox in Kamituga

July 22, 2024

Kamituga, July 22, 2024 ( ACP) . – Emergency medical response activities against the Mpox (monkey pox) epidemic were officially launched by the NGO “Alliance for International Medical Action” (Alima), in the Kamituga health zone, in South Kivu (Eastern DRC), we learned Sunday from a humanitarian source.

" These activities aim to provide an emergency response to the Mpox epidemic in the Kamituga health zone through active and passive surveillance, quality management of detected cases ," said Dr. Dally Mwamba, coordinator of the Mpox epidemic response project of the NGO Alima.

" Our concern is to cut the chain of transmission of this epidemic by providing care to patients. It is about making medicines available to give them free of charge, to strengthen the capacities of healthcare personnel by providing the necessary equipment so that doctors, nurses and health personnel can work properly ," explained Dr. Mwamba.

In the presence of the mayor of Kamituga, Alexandre Bundya, and several other guests, he said that these activities are part of a project that benefits from financial support from the NGO Alima to the tune of 300,000 US dollars (three hundred thousand USD) for a period of three months with the possibility of extending it up to six months depending on the dynamics of the epidemic. "Five health areas will benefit from this support, namely Mero, Kitemba, Kabukungu, Kalingi and Katunga ," he said.

For his part, Dr. Léandre Mutimbwa, chief medical officer of the Kamituga health zone, thanked the NGO "Alima" for this support in the face of the Mpox epidemic which is raging in his health zone.

"More than 700 cases of Mpox have already been recorded since the start of the epidemic in the Kamituga health zone, including seven deaths ," he acknowledged.

On this occasion, he asked the population of Kamituga to alert on any suspected case of this disease by respecting the barrier measures to cut the chain of transmission in the health zone of Kamituga.

ACP/ ODM

https://acp.cd/sante/sud-kivu-lancement-officiel-des-activites-medicales-contre-le-mpox-a-kamituga/
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South Kivu: three cases of Mpox reported in the Minova health zone

July 26, 2024

Bukavu, July 26, 2024 (ACP).- Three cases of Mpox (monkey pox) have been reported in the Minova health zone in the Kalehe territory in South Kivu, 150 km north of Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we learned Thursday from a health source. "These are two soldiers and one of their children who were admitted to the Minova general reference hospital where they underwent tests which turned out to be positive ," said Dr. Justin Bengehya, epidemiologist and health information specialist at the health division in South Kivu.

" We are in talks with the FARDC General Staff in North Kivu to see how they can continue specific care in Goma in their isolation site ," he said. This doctor indicated that these cases are imported because since the epidemic, Minova has never recorded a single case of Mpox. He specified that for the moment out of 34 health zones in this province, 24 are affected by this disease. ACP/

https://acp.cd/sante/sud-kivu-trois-cas-de-mpox-notifies-dans-la-zone-de-sante-de-minova/

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DRC: Explosion of monkeypox cases leaves more than 400 dead and worries authorities

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), authorities and health professionals are concerned because cases of monkeypox, also known as Mpox, are on the rise. More than 11,000 cases have been recorded and 450 people have died. Of the 26 Congolese provinces, 25 are affected and the disease is also spreading in neighboring Burundi, raising fears of the emergence of a new, more deadly strain of the virus.

Published on :28/07/2024 - 08:03
By : RFI

" There is real concern ," explains Dr. Cris Kasita, in charge of response operations against Mpox [for Monkey Pox, or monkey pox) in the DRC. We are at more than 800 notifications per epidemiological week of cases of Mpox. The government has decided to put the resources in place so that together, we know how to stop this epidemic which is taking on exponential proportions. "

Take all measures to stop the chain of transmission in the country

For Dr. Kasita, the population should accept and understand that the disease exists and that it is really there: " I ask the population to take all measures and precautions to stop the disease, if not in any case, stop the chain of transmission across the country. "

If two countries are already affected, there is a risk that the epidemic will spread to Sudan, North Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Angola, Zambia and other countries. " Out of 26 provinces, 25 are already affected in the DRC ," recalls Dr. Kasita. And South Africa recently reported 20 cases, including three deaths.

On July 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of the global health threat posed by monkeypox. The UN agency expressed concern about an outbreak of a new, more deadly strain of the virus in the DRC.

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20240...t-plus-de-400-morts-et-inquiète-les-autorités

 

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South Kivu: 68 monkeypox patients share 17 beds in Kavumu, warns civil society

Monday, July 29, 2024 - 12:53

In total, 68 monkeypox patients share 17 beds at the Kavumu Hospital Center (CH) in Kabare territory (South Kivu).

The civil society of Kavumu, which is warning about this situation, fears a large-scale spread due to lack of adequate support.

In a press release on Sunday, July 28, 2024, Justin Mulindagabo, president of the civil society of Bugorhe-Kavumu, emphasizes that this health structure requires urgent support for better care of monkeypox patients. He reports that new cases are recorded almost every day in this health zone.

"We need urgent support. Otherwise, Kavumu risks exploding with monkeypox disease. At the Kavumu Hospital, patients are lacking space. We have identified 68 patients sharing 17 beds, this is abnormal," he said.

Furthermore, he calls on the population to respect hygiene measures and to avoid prayer rooms in the event of the presence of signs of this disease. For the moment, the Miti Murhesa Health Zone has already recorded more than 100 cases of monkeypox in less than two months.

Déogratias Cubaka, in Bukavu

https://7sur7.cd/2024/07/29/sud-kiv...agent-17-lits-kavumu-alerte-la-societe-civile

 

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Kasaï Province
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasa%C3%AF_Province

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Kasai: 1 case of the Monkey Pox epidemic reported in Kashiya

Yabiso News
August 4, 2024

1 case of the Monkey Pox epidemic was reported in the locality of Kashiya in the Kabambaie sector in Luebo territory.

The alert was made to Yabisonews.cd this Sunday, August 4, 2024 by the coordinator of the civil society force vive based in Luebo Neville Nkongolo.

“A young boy in his late twenties is suffering from Monkey Pox disease in Kashiya village. According to the testimony, the victim had eaten monkey meat three weeks ago. Suddenly, there was an outbreak of this disease,” reported the civil society activist.

He took the opportunity to ask the competent authorities to take preventive measures.

“We call upon the provincial government and health experts to take preventive measures to spare the peaceful villagers from this contagious disease.”

Lydia Fuamba

https://yabisonews.cd/kasai-1-cas-de-lepidemie-monkey-pox-signale-a-kashiya/

 

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Mpox in DR Congo: Who, what, when, where, and why
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July 30, 2024
...
Here, Dr. Louis Albert Massing, medical coordinator for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in DRC, breaks down the mpox situation and explains how MSF is responding to this new emergency.​

What is the mpox situation in DRC?

Historically, mpox is endemic in 11 of the country's 26 provinces. However, the number of cases has been rising sharply for more than two years, leading health authorities to declare an epidemic in December 2022. The number of cases tripled in 2023, with more than 14,600 suspected cases reported and 654 deaths. But in 2024, the situation has worsened further. Between January and mid-July, more than 12,300 suspected cases were reported, and 23 provinces were affected.

The acceleration of the epidemic is worrying, especially as a genetic mutation has been identified in South Kivu, with human-to-human transmission going uninterrupted for months. Another cause for concern is that the disease has been recorded in the camps for displaced people around Goma in North Kivu, where the extreme population density is making the situation very critical. There is a real risk of an explosion, given huge population movements in and out of the DRC.
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DRC has validated two vaccines and is trying to obtain supplies, but at this stage, no vaccine is available yet. Negotiations are underway with certain countries and priority areas are being identified. We hope it will soon be sorted out and that sufficient vaccines will be supplied to the country in the main epidemic areas.
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https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/mpox-dr-congo-who-what-when-where-and-why

 

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In light of the spread of the Mpox epidemic outside the DRC, WHO has decided to convene an Emergency Committee

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 5:40 p.m.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has announced the convening of an Emergency Committee to determine whether the Mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. This decision is prompted by the continued spread of the disease beyond the borders of the DRC and the risk of further international dissemination.

The Emergency Committee, composed of independent experts from various disciplines, will meet shortly to provide recommendations on the management of the outbreak. This initiative follows the increase in Mpox cases in 23 of the 26 provinces of the DRC, including camps for internally displaced people in Goma, North Kivu.

In response to the worsening health situation, the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), today announced a donation of 50,000 Mpox vaccines to the DRC. This move is part of an international effort to contain the spread of the disease.

At the same time, the DRC is facing other major health crises, including cholera and measles epidemics, which have reached worrying levels since 2017 and 2019 respectively. WHO stresses the urgency of a coordinated response to manage these multiple health crises.

WHO has urged the international community to strengthen its support to the DRC to control the spread of Mpox and prevent a large-scale health crisis. The recommendations of the Emergency Committee will be essential to guide the global response to this worrying situation.

https://actualite.cd/2024/08/07/la-...ie-de-mpox-en-dehors-de-la-rdc-loms-decide-de

 

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South Kivu: churches, local leaders and community relays to fight Mpox in Kamanyola

August 8, 2024

Kamanyola, August 8, 2024 (ACP) . – The Provincial Health Division is working to combat monkeypox (Mpox), through the use of an awareness strategy, particularly among churches, community relays and local leaders, in Kamanyola in South Kivu, (east of the Democratic Republic of Congo), we learned on Thursday from an administrative source.

" Among these new strategies, there will be training for local leaders, citizen structures, mass associations, motorcyclists, etc. They will be informed about the danger of this disease and agree together on ways out. Also, churches and radios will be channels of facilitation to reach a large number. Beyond that, community relays will be equipped with megaphones and will go village by village to raise awareness ," declared Mr. Claude Bahizire, the communications officer at the Provincial Health Division in South Kivu, during a meeting with Kamanyola staff.

“Today, the health zone of Nyangezi, in the territory of Walungu, has already set a record for the increase in cases of monkeypox in South Kivu.

Kamanyola, is currently the epicenter of this pandemic which records more than 700 cases. This outbreak of cases shows that there is a relaxation of barrier measures within the community. It is in this health emergency that we are here, to review the methods and awaken the community insensitive to the risks of this pandemic" , said the communication officer at the DPS South Kivu.

And to add: " It is important to point out that there has not yet been a death from this disease and the involvement of all for its eradication is requested to cut the chain of contamination. Monkeypox patients are still kept at Saint Joseph hospital in Kamanyola where they receive free care." ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/sud-kivu-eglis...nautaires-pour-combattre-le-mpox-a-kamanyola/

 

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Deadlier strain of mpox spreads to more countries, raising officials’ alarm

Published August 7, 2024 3:16 PM​
By Maya Davis, CNN

(CNN) — Cases of a deadlier strain of mpox have been confirmed in four countries in Africa, raising alarm among health officials around the world.

Levels of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached more than 14,000 reported cases and 511 deaths, and it has spread to four neighboring countries that had not previously reported cases, according to the World Health Organization- Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

WHO officials said Wednesday that they plan to convene an emergency committee soon to determine whether the outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also issued a health advisory Wednesday to address the “risk of additional spread,” recommending that physicians maintain a “heightened index of suspicion for mpox” in people who recently traveled from the DRC or bordering countries. ...

https://localnews8.com/health/cnn-h...ds-to-more-countries-raising-officials-alarm/
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Maniema: a suspected case of Mpox recorded in the territory of Kabambare

August 8, 2024

Kindu, August 8, 2024 (ACP).- A suspected case of Mpox disease, called monkeypox, was recorded in Kabeya, a village located in the Babuyu sector in the Kabambare health zone in Maniema, (center-east) of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), ACP learned Thursday from a health source.

"This suspected case of Mpox recorded in the village of Kabeya in my health zone of Kabambare, concerns a patient presenting certain clinical signs, notably a high fever, skin rashes and others confirming this pathology", affirmed Olivier Tambwe, chief medical officer of the Kabambare zone.

He said that another suspected case of this disease was already recorded last March in this health zone where treatment was not effective due to lack of the necessary products.

To this end, he requested from the provincial authorities, through the Provincial Health Division (DPS) of Maniema, products intended to combat this epidemic in the health zones affected by these suspected cases of Mpox (a zoonosis due to a virus of the Poxviridae family).

Mr. Tambwe called on the population of his jurisdiction to remain calm as the patient affected by this disease is being treated at the Kabambare General Hospital, before urging them not to refrain from consuming the meat of animals found dead in the forest in order to protect themselves from this disease.

According to health authorities, more than 47 suspected cases of Mpox were also recorded in June 2024 in the Katako health area, located 7 kilometers from Kindu in the Kailo rural health zone. ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/maniema-un-cas-suspect-de-mpox-enregistre-dans-le-territoire-de-kabambare/

 

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12 AUGUST 2024 - CONGO (KINSHASA)

NEWBORN BABIES CATCHING DEADLY MPOX IN DRC’S OVERCROWDED HOSPITALS AS CASES SKYROCKET

Press release

GOMA, 12 August 2024– Newborn babies as young as two weeks old are catching the deadly mpox virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s overcrowded hospitals, Save the Children said, as global authorities meet to decide if the rapid spread of the virus constitutes a global emergency.

About 15,000 suspected cases have been identified in DRC so far this year which has already surpassed the total number from 2023 [1] and the virus is spreading to other countries in Africa. Authorities, health workers and aid groups are racing against time to curb the spread of the deadly disease in a country already embroiled in a humanitarian crisis and with one of the most fragile healthcare systems in the world.

Both cases and deaths are more prevalent in children than adults, Save the Children said.

The rapid spread of the virus in DRC – which has reportedly about 90% of all cases - is putting a strain on an already fragile health system that is still reeling from past outbreaks of Ebola and COVID-19 and a scarcity of staff and medical supplies. In some health centres around Goma, patient intake is 4,000% higher than their capacity, Save the Children said.

Jacques, an epidemiologist and mpox expert with a Save the Children partner in South Kivu province, DRC, said:

“The worst case I’ve seen is that of a six-week-old baby who was just two weeks old when he contracted mpox and has now been in our care for four weeks. He got infected because hospital overcrowding meant he and his mother were forced to share a room with someone else who had the virus, which was undiagnosed at the time.

“He had rashes all over his body, his skin was starting to blacken, and he had a high fever. His parents were stunned by his condition and were scared he was dying.”

Children are at higher risk than adults of contracting the virus, also known as Monkeypox, with 70% of DRC’s 14,901 cases in children under 15 [2] [3], and 39% of cases in children under five [4], according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Children in the DRC are also nearly four times more likely to die from mpox than adults, with WHO data showing that the case fatality ratio for children under the age of one is 8.6%, compared to 2.4% in people aged 15 and over. Of the deaths reported by May 2024, 62% were children under 5 years old, the same data shows.

The WHO will meet on Wednesday to discuss whether the mpox outbreak in Africa is a global public health emergency.
...

https://www.savethechildren.net/new...x-drc-s-overcrowded-hospitals-cases-skyrocket

 

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Tshopo
https://acp.cd/sante/tshopo-bengami...-cas-de-mpoxdivision-provinciale-de-la-sante/
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Tshopo: Bengamisa among several health zones recording cases of Mpox (Provincial Health Division)

August 14, 2024

Kisangani, August 14, 2024 (ACP).- The health zone of Bengamisa is among several other zones in the province of Tshopo (North-East of the Democratic Republic of Congo), which have recorded cases of Mpox, according to the acting head of the Provincial Health Division.

" In an audience with the president of the provincial assembly , Dr. Mateus Kanga Londimo, the Provincial Health Division ( DPS ) confirmed that there are several health zones in the Tshopo province that are recording cases of Mpox , including that of Bengamisa which has three cases including one death ," revealed Antoine Bitoko, acting head of the DPS/Tshopo, after his reception on Wednesday by the president of the Tshopo provincial assembly.

" Since yesterday, we have sent a team from the province to the health zone of Bengamisa to accompany the area to identify the cases and take samples for in-depth analyses in order to report to us ," he added.

" We are in contact with the head of the health zone, he reassured us that all the identified cases are being taken care of, the situation is under control except for the cases that are not being taken to hospital ," said the acting head of the DPS/Tshopo.

These three cases of Mpox, including one death, were recorded in the health zone of Bengamisa, in the territory of Banalia, in Tshopo, said Dr. Lohanga Okudi, acting medical director of the general reference hospital of " Bengamisa ".

He asked health and provincial authorities to equip the division with protective tools to prevent further cases.

" We ask the authorities to equip us with protective tools to care for these patients and to provide us with premises to quarantine them ," pleaded Dr. Lohanga.

To the population, the acting medical director of the Bengamisa general reference hospital urged the population to keep their distance and to transfer to the hospital any person who presents skin rashes up to the palms of the hands to avoid being contaminated.

The disease, also called monkeypox, has been declared a continental health emergency in Africa by the CDC.

In the DRC, several provinces are most affected by this disease, which is a zoonosis caused by a virus from the Poxviridae family.

These are: Tshopo, Bas-Uélé, Equateur, Kasaï, Kasaï Oriental, Kinshasa, Maï-Ndombe, Maniema, Mongala, Nord-Ubangi, Sankuru, Sud-Kivu, Sud-Ubangi and Tshuapa.

ACP/ ODM

https://acp.cd/sante/tshopo-bengami...-cas-de-mpoxdivision-provinciale-de-la-sante/

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Monkeypox: “The key to defeating the epidemic lies in the involvement of all” (Congolese Minister of Health)

August 15, 2024

Kinshasa, August 15, 2024 (ACP).- The key to defeating the Mpox or monkeypox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) lies in the involvement of all, according to the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare in a statement received by the ACP on Thursday.

" We know that the key to defeating this epidemic lies in the involvement of everyone. To deal with this crisis, the government has put in place a response structured around 3 main axes, the first of which concerns raising awareness among the population to prevent and limit contamination," said Dr. Roger Samuel Kamba, Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security.

" To overcome this crisis, we need the solidarity of all and the mobilization of all. This is why the Ministry of Health, with the support of partners, continues to implement epidemiological surveillance systems on risk communication and community mobilization in all provinces ," he added.

" These initiatives enable communities not yet affected to prepare effectively and promote preventive measures in unaffected areas ," he added.

Dr. Kamba said that the second axis is devoted to health prevention while the third axis concerns the coordination and monitoring of this response.

More than 500 deaths due to Mpox recorded since the beginning of the year in the DRC

Furthermore, the Minister of Health indicated that according to the latest epidemiological report, the DRC has recorded 15,664 potential cases and 548 deaths due to Mpox.

" Currently, almost all our provinces are affected by this virus. The most affected provinces are Equateur, South Kivu, South Ubangi, Sankuru, Mongala and Tshopo," he said.

Dr Kamba reported that to date, the government has deployed about 100 kits across all provinces to ensure the response, while stressing that patients are being treated free of charge.

He said the DRC is among the 17 African countries that have been facing the resurgence of the Mpox epidemic since the beginning of this year.

Mpox is a zoonosis that causes headache, fever, muscle aches and rashes. It is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected animal or human, but also through contaminated objects and sexually.

The disease was declared a public health emergency of continental concern by the Africa CDC on Tuesday, while the WHO declared it a public health emergency of international concern on Wednesday given its scale and spread. ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/variole-du-sin...ation-de-tous-ministre-congolais-de-la-sante/

 

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Tshopo: 19 out of 23 health zones are affected by the monkeypox epidemic

Published on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 04:57 | Modified on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 04:57

Translation Google​

Nineteen of the twenty-three health zones in Tshopo province have been affected by the monkeypox epidemic.
...
Dr Philippe Libande, head of the health information, research and communication office of the Tshopo provincial health division, reveals that since January to date, more than 700 cases have been reported in all affected areas.

He said this on Thursday, August 15, on the sidelines of the training of health care providers on patient care.

" The latest data we have is over 700 cases with a lethality of at least 4.2%. Currently we have 31 deaths that are already recorded and over 740 cases already known since the beginning of the year. But we must point out that these are slightly underestimated data since in the health areas or health zones, the population does not declare the entire situation ," explained Dr. Philippe Libande.

He notes that only the figures of those who have passed through health structures are taken into account, and that in reality, the situation is worrying in the province of Tshopo.

The DRC Government wants to rely on public awareness, prevention and treatment to defeat the Monkeypox (Mpox) epidemic.

According to the Minister of Health, Hygiene and Social Security, Roger Kamba, the key to defeating the Mpox epidemic or monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of Congo lies in the involvement of everyone.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/08/...nte-sur-les-23-sont-touchees-par-lepidemie-de

 

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900 cases of Mpox in Kamanyola: South Kivu press called to raise awareness

August 17, 2024

Kamanyola, August 17, 2024 (ACP). – Journalists from Kamanyola, Walungu territory in South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, were invited on Saturday to get more involved in raising awareness to cut the chain of monkeypox contamination, ACP learned from health sources.

"Monkeypox cases in the Nyangezi health zone have increased from 700 to more than 900 cases. The source of contamination remains the Kamanyola axis which is at the crossroads of two countries Rwanda-Burundi. In this health emergency situation, we call on journalists in the Walungu territory in general and those in Kamanyola in particular to increase awareness in order to stem this epidemic" , said the chief physician of the Nyangezi health zone, Dr. Olivier Kabarati.

During an interview with the ACP on the current state of Monkeypox in the area, Dr. Olivier demonstrated that several mechanisms are already being undertaken to curb this smallpox, including; the creation of hand washing sites in the avenues of Kamanyola, the door-to-door awareness campaign on the danger of Monkeypox by community relays,….

“We trust the media. They are rapid channels of mass awareness. The radio products already made in favor of the communities, for this, are to be congratulated and continued further because the epidemic still persists in the entity. The right information comes in when it has been given to the community in its fluent language ,” he added.

It should be noted that in the event of primary signs of Monkeypox fever, health sources invite patients to go to the hospital for diagnosis because the treatment of this epidemic is provided free of charge in the Nyangezi health zone in South Kivu.

ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/900-cas-de-mpox-a-kamanyola-la-presse-du-sud-kivu-appelee-a-sensibiliser/

 

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Kwilu: around ten cases of Monkeypox reported including 3 deaths in Djuma and Mokala

Sunday, August 18, 2024 - 09:34

Kwilu province is not spared from the Monkeypox disease currently affecting the DRC. At least fourteen confirmed cases have been recorded, including three deaths. These are particularly the health zones of Djuma (Bulungu territory), which has reported nine cases, including two deaths, and Mokala (Idiofa), including one death.

According to the acting provincial health division chief, several other suspected cases have been reported and the results are awaited from the national biomedical research institute. Dr Titus Mafolo specifies that among the causes are the proximity of Mokala to the equatorial forest and trade between the already affected provinces of Kwilu and Mai ndombe, which has favored the spread of the disease.

"With the environment favorable to this disease, the Mokala health zone is close to the equatorial forest, and it must also be said that our neighboring province, Mai Ndombe, has several cases. The exchanges between the province of Mai Ndombe and that of Kwilu are so intense that we must have many cases," he said.

The provincial health division is focusing on raising awareness among the population in order to stop the spread of the Monkeypox disease. This includes referring to health facilities in case of symptoms for treatment. The provincial health division also announced the strengthening of surveillance to detect cases that are still lingering in the community.

Jonathan Mesa in Bandundu

https://actualite.cd/2024/08/18/kwi...nkeypox-notifies-dont-3-deces-djuma-et-mokala

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Kasaï: 16 cases recorded of the Mpox epidemic in the 4 health zones

by Kinshasa Editorial
August 18, 2024 at 3:07 p.m.

A total of 16 suspected cases recorded and zero deaths from Mpox disease, commonly known as monkey pox, have been reported in Kasai province in the 4 health zones including the Kalonda West zone, Mushenge, Luebo and Tshikapa. This was announced on Saturday, August 17, by the provincial Minister of Health Odette Kama Mbokama.

To eradicate this very dangerous and extremely contagious disease in Kasai, the Minister in charge of health indicated that the various suspected cases are isolated and taken care of by health structures.
...

https://www.politicordc.com/actuali...e-mpox-dans-les-4-zones-de-sante.html/167116/



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Monkeypox: Vaccine doses promised by Japan and the USA arrive next week (Roger Kamba)

Monday, August 19, 2024 - 6:44 p.m.

The Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Prevention, Roger Kamba, announced, in a press briefing on Monday, August 19, the arrival, as early as next week, of the doses of vaccine against monkeypox promised by Japan and the United States of America.

According to this member of the Suminwa government, the arrival of these doses must respect an entire logistics chain that goes from acceptance to some administrative procedures before shipment. He also reassures of the availability of a national vaccination plan that is only waiting for the arrival of the vaccines.

The Minister of Health specified that young people are the most vulnerable to this disease because of the vaccine against human smallpox that they have not received. The latter being the Mpox strain, which affects almost all provinces of the DRC to date.

The DRC, for its part, has announced that it wants to vaccinate 2.5 million people against Mpox, with 3.5 million doses. This will cost the Congolese state 600 million USD.

The United States will initially send a total of 50,000 doses of vaccine against this disease, declared an international emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).​

Samyr LUKOMBO

https://actualite.cd/2024/08/19/mon...s-par-le-japon-et-les-usa-arrivent-la-semaine
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Congolese Government to Release USD 49 Million to Fight Monkeypox Epidemic

Published on Tue, 08/20/2024 - 1:34 PM | Modified on Tue, 08/20/2024 - 1:34 PM

The Congolese government will release 49 million USD to fight the Monkeypox epidemic, a disease that is raging in almost all provinces of the DRC. The announcement was made on Monday, August 19, at a press conference in Kinshasa, by Roger Kamba, Minister of Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare.

This amount covers the entire response, not including the cost of the vaccine.

This budget envelope is intended to cover deployment, support, monitoring operations, as well as laboratory activities.

As for the vaccine, Roger Kamba said, the need is for 3.5 million doses, worth USD 600 million.

He also recommends attitudes to adopt to stop this epidemic:

"Animals that die on their own, you should not touch them because we do not know what they died of. Animals that show signs of illness, you should not touch them. Monkeys and rodents, do not touch them because you risk catching the disease. The most common mode of contamination is contact. Avoid direct contact with someone who is sick. Also avoid indirect contact, through anything that is sheets, towels, clothes. For the one who is sick, he must inform others and go and get treatment so that he is taken care of."
According to Roger Kamba, when the care is good, mortality decreases. The response will also rely on vaccination.

"I would really like to send a message: when we start the vaccine, we will first focus on the areas most at risk. Everyone must help us so that this vaccine, which is very expensive, can reach the people who really need it," recommended Mr. Kamba.

The country has recorded 15,664 potential cases and 548 deaths since the start of the year.

Almost all provinces of the DRC are affected by this virus. But according to Roger Kamba, the most affected provinces are:

Equateur,
South Kivu,
the Tshopo,
the Tshuapa,
South Ubangi,
the Sankuru,
the Mongala.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2024/08/...-debloquer-49-millions-usd-pour-lutter-contre