• FluTrackers.com Inc. does not provide medical advice. Information on this web site is collected from various internet resources, and the FluTrackers board of directors makes no warranty to the safety, efficacy, correctness or completeness of the information posted on this site by any author or poster. The information collated here is for instructional and/or discussion purposes only and is NOT intended to diagnose or treat any disease, illness, or other medical condition. Every individual reader or poster should seek advice from their personal physician/healthcare practitioner before considering or using any interventions that are discussed on this website. By continuing to access this website you agree to consult your personal physican before using any interventions posted on this website, and you agree to hold harmless FluTrackers.com Inc., the board of directors, the members, and all authors and posters for any effects from use of any medication, supplement, vitamin or other substance, device, intervention, etc. mentioned in posts on this website, or other internet venues referenced in posts on this website.
  • We are not asking for any donations. Do not donate to any entity who says they are raising funds for us.

DRC - Mpox (monkeypox) outbreak 2025

Pathfinder

Editor, Senior Moderator
The DRC Mpox outbreak in 2024 can be found here:
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/africa-ac/monkeypox/984668-drc-mpox-monkeypox-outbreak-2024

-----------------------
Translation Google

Mpox in Haut-Katanga: 18 health zones affected out of 27

Published on Sat, 04/01/2025 - 06:28 | Modified on Sat, 04/01/2025 - 15:18

Monkeypox, also known as " Mpox ", continues to spread in Haut-Katanga. Eighteen of the twenty-seven health zones in this province have already reported cases.

To this end, the population is called upon to protect itself against this disease and thus fight against its spread.

This emerged from the coordination meeting for the fight against Mpox held on Thursday, January 2 in Lubumbashi by the provincial Minister of Health, Joseph Sambi Bulanda.

" Epidemiological surveillance shows a cumulative total of 148 suspected cases reported, including 12 positive cases. Eighteen out of 27 health zones are already affected. The cases are evolving in a see-saw pattern; hence the organization of active case searches ," explained Dr. Nick Thérèse Kayila Nianga, provincial health inspector in Haut-Katanga.

Treatment for this disease remains free, recalls this medical authority:

“Ambulances are made available, medicines, laboratory supplies and others are provided, all business ceases. As for communication, several strategies are retained. We remind the population to protect themselves against this disease because it is circulating in our province. Report any case found in the community and consult the nearest health center.”

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/01/...ut-katanga-18-zones-de-sante-affectees-sur-27
 
Translation Google

DRC: A major donation of reagents and equipment to intensify the fight against Mpox

Sunday, January 5, 2025 - 10:22

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, chaired this Saturday at the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) a ceremony marking the official handover of reagents and laboratory equipment intended to strengthen the fight against the Mpox epidemic. This donation, provided by Africa CDC (Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), is in addition to the new vehicles recently made available by the Congolese government.

During the ceremony, the Head of State received several presentations on the current situation of the epidemic. Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba, Director General of the National Institute of Public Health, highlighted the progress made in the response: the number of suspected cases reported increased from 3,000 in 2022 to more than 61,000 in 2024, while biological detection improved from 9% to more than 60%. Case fatality also decreased, from 4.5% to 2.2% over the same period. However, efforts are still needed to improve diagnosis and further reduce deaths.

Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya expressed his gratitude to President Tshisekedi for his commitment. He recalled that $10 million had been disbursed in August 2024 to support the fight against the epidemic and announced an additional $600,000 to cover the salaries of teams on the ground for six months. He also announced the extension of screening to seven new provinces, previously limited to the cities of Kinshasa and Goma.

Health Minister Roger Kamba praised the president's role in the initiative. "This donation demonstrates that access to basic services is a priority for you," he said, while emphasizing the positive impact of this equipment in improving care.

Mpox, first identified in 1970 in Basankusu, Equateur province, continues to be rampant in the DRC. Transmitted by animal-human or human-to-human contact, this disease remains particularly prevalent in the country's forested areas.

https://actualite.cd/2025/01/05/rdc...-equipements-pour-intensifier-la-lutte-contre
 
Translation Google

Mpox: the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains “worrying” (WHO)

January 13, 2025 Health

Although most trends appear "stable," the monkeypox situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains "worrying," the UN health agency (WHO) said on Monday, noting that the outbreak of the Mpox virus clade Ib continues mainly in the country, Burundi and Uganda, but also new travel-related cases have been identified in some countries that were not previously affected.

According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ), the DRC remains the most affected country, with circulation of both subclades I of Mpox. Generally speaking, the epidemic curves of suspected smallpox cases in the 12 most affected provinces show that these provinces have varying epidemic sizes, but for most of them, the trend over the last few weeks appears relatively stable.

In provinces where MPXV clade Ia and clade Ib are known to co-circulate, including the capital Kinshasa, the trend of suspected cases has also been relatively stable over the past few months.

However, even though "most trends appear stable, the situation in the country remains worrying, as it shows a high and continued circulation of the virus," the WHO detailed in its latest epidemiological report.

More than 9,500 cases in the DRC including 43 deaths

Since its first detection in September 2023, clade Ib has been detected in eight provinces of the DRC: South Kivu, North Kivu, Kinshasa, Kasai, Tshopo, Tanganyika, Haut-Katanga and Mai Ndonbe.

In Africa, from January 2024 to January 5, 2025, 14,700 confirmed cases of Mpox, including 66 deaths, were reported by 20 countries. The most affected country remains the Democratic Republic of Congo (9,513 cases including 43 deaths). This is followed by Burundi (3,035 confirmed cases, including one death) and Uganda (1,552 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths).

Burundi and Uganda continue to report between 100 and 200 new smallpox cases per week, with a tendency to plateau, possibly due to a drop in surveillance and reporting during the December holiday period.

Community transmission has also been reported in other countries on the continent, such as Kenya and Rwanda. Travel-related cases have been reported in Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, although no cases have been confirmed to date in Tanzania, the identification of travel-related smallpox cases in Tanzania suggests undetected transmission in that country.

Mpox cases in Europe and North America linked to travel to Africa

Outside Africa, eleven countries have detected MPXV clade Ib. Sweden, Thailand, the United States of America and Canada have detected one case each among travellers from affected countries in East and Central Africa.

For WHO, these recent travel-associated smallpox cases highlight the risk of undetected transmission within countries, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and timely reporting to improve global monitoring and prevent international spread.

A travel-related case of Mpox due to clade Ib in Germany (the second importation) led to secondary transmission at home. Germany has thus confirmed six cases: three cases among travellers from affected countries in East Africa and three household contacts of one of these travellers.

MPXV clade Ib has been detected in three other countries, Belgium, China and France, directly or indirectly linked to travel to the affected countries in Central Africa.

Kosovo reported its first case of MPXV. No information on the MPXV clade is yet available.

https://news.un.org/fr/story/2025/01/1152071
 
image.png

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oicha
--------------------------------------------------
Translation Google


A case of Mpox confirmed in a displaced persons site in Oicha

Published on Tue, 01/14/2025 - 04:57 PM | Modified on Tue, 01/14/2025 - 04:57 PM

A first confirmed case of Mpox has been reported in the rural health zone of Oicha, in the territory of Beni (North Kivu). It is a two-month-old infant, who lives with his mother in the Luvangira displaced persons site.

According to medical sources, the case was suspected on January 5, when samples were taken for analysis. These confirmed that the child had monkeypox. Two other suspected cases were also reported in the same displaced persons site.

Archipe Kule Kyusa, the supervising nurse in charge of preventive activities and epidemiological surveillance, indicates that all measures have been taken to follow up on contacts at risk and thus avoid the spread of the disease.

"The health zone has just reported a positive case of Monkey pox. It is a two-month-old child and curiously his family lives in a displaced persons site.Our fear is that the case is where people are crowded together, there is a risk that the spread of the disease will be great ," fears the nurse.

This is why the health zone and the ECZ team thought it better to list the contacts. In the meantime, there were two other people who presented the same signs and are already at the Monkey Pox Treatment Center (CTM) in Oicha, he adds.

According to Archipe Kule Kyusa, the medical staff is sensitizing the local population to prevent this disease by washing their hands regularly. He is also recommending vaccination, especially for families where these cases are found.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/01/...mpox-confirme-dans-un-site-des-deplaces-oicha
 
Translation Google

Population movements in North Kivu promote the spread of the Mpox epidemic

Published on Mon, 01/27/2025 - 09:08 | Modified on Mon, 01/27/2025 - 09:08

Population movements in North Kivu, due to clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels, are contributing to the spread of the Mpox epidemic.

An increase in case notifications over the past four weeks is reported.

This observation was noted during the meeting, Friday, January 24 in Goma, between the vice-governor of the province of North Kivu and the deputy executive director of the WHO, in charge of emergencies, Chikwe Ihekweazu. The latter was accompanied by the director general of the National Institute of Public Health, Dieudonné Muamba.

"The province continues to report cases. With ongoing conflicts, we have noted an increase in case reports. And with these population movements, we have also noted that there are new health zones that have started reporting cases. But we still note that the lethality rate remains very low. So there is good management of these Mpox cases, and that is why we will continue to provide our support from the central level to the province to reassure ourselves that everything is in place to stop the contaminations," explained Dieudonné Muamba.

He notes that with all these movements of populations the disease is also spreading.

"There are big challenges that impact the spread of the epidemic. But we believe that by combining efforts, we can have health benefits ," he noted.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2025/01/...ion-au-nord-kivu-favorisent-la-propagation-de
 
The fragility of health systems amid tensions in #Goma has implications
...
30 Jan 2025 The fragility of health systems amid tensions in #Goma has implications on the ongoing #mpox response in the #DRC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyYbylRrWg0
-----------------------
Transcript:
(possible typo)


"I know Goma. Goma is a city of 3 million people including 1 million displaced individuals living in an area of 75 square kilometers, that means a population density of around 39,620 people per square kilometer. If we need to consider Goma as a country, it will be one of the highest population density in the world. But what we saw also in Goma and it's important for...people who are following CNN to know that, end of 2023 a new variant of Mpox called Clade 1B was identified in this region and this variant is mostly ... the factors of this variant are mostly internal displacements due to armed conflict, overcrowded displacement camps and increased human mobility due to insecurity. Today, what is happening in Goma can lead for a chaotic situation that can even result to a major pandemic because we see this fragility of health system in Goma, we see this humanitarian situation going on and I call upon all of our African leaders and our International partners to stop what is going on in Goma because Goma is a fragile area that can kill all of us if we have a pandemic coming from this area."​
 
Translation Google

Mpox in Mbandaka: the epidemic causes 17 deaths, 10 patients escaped and 175 recoveries in 4 months

Monday, February 3, 2025 - 7:01 p.m.

The Mpox epidemic in Equateur province continues to rage. According to the report from the Mpox treatment center at the Wangata General Reference Hospital in Mbandaka, 17 deaths have been recorded, 10 patients have escaped and 175 patients have been declared cured since October 2024.

These figures were communicated to journalists from community radio stations partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO) during a guided tour on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

According to Dr Dieu Merci Makambonge, head of the Mpox treatment centre in Wangata, seven patients are currently being treated, including four confirmed cases and three suspected cases. Among them, a 28-month-old baby accompanied by his mother, who also has the disease.

WHO has been supporting this centre since October 2024 by providing the necessary supplies to ensure patient care.

Furthermore, UNICEF also intervenes by providing meals to hospitalized patients, as part of their nutritional care, explains Dr Makambonge.

Peter Gbiako Ngbala, from Mbandaka

https://actualite.cd/2025/02/03/mpo...-10-malades-evades-et-175-guerisons-en-4-mois
 
Mpox in the East of the DRC: the Ministry of Health reports the escape of 128 patients from the various isolation centers

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 - 07:14

The Ministry of Health, Hygiene and Social Security, in its report on the epidemiological situation of Mpox in North Kivu, warned of the escape of more than a hundred patients in the various isolation centers, due to armed fighting between the Armed Forces of the DRC and the M23 rebels.

In total, 128 patients out of the 143 confirmed cases interned in the health zones of Goma, Karisimbi, Nyiragongo fled the Mpox treatment centers

"As of January 24, 2024, 143 confirmed patients were isolated in different CT Mpox in 3 health zones in crisis, of which only 15 are still in isolation. So 128 patients escaped from the isolation sites, some of which were completely looted," the report explains.

The Ministry reports that health providers are experiencing several difficulties in this time of crisis, including: limited access to intervention areas; shortage of medicines and other inputs; shortage of blood products; looting of warehouses and health facilities; looting of ICRC and MSF medical and non-medical logistics; shortage of water and electricity; refusal of discharged wounded patients (military) to return to the community; Insufficient logistical means/hearses for EDS teams; insufficient ambulances; lack of body bags; insufficient teams of surgeons/traumatologists, maxillofacial surgeons and resuscitators.

To address this situation, the Ministry of Health held the first crisis meeting between the Provincial Health Directorates (DPS) and the various partners to assess the emergency support capacity.

According to the latest estimates, 2,707 suspected cases were reported, with 38 deaths (CFR: 1.94%) and 516 confirmed cases for the week (W03)

Regarding vaccination, 67,759 people have received their dose of vaccine on the national territory

Since the start of the Mpox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country has recorded 72,597 cases, including 13,696 confirmed cases and 1,407 deaths.

Thanks GUKA

https://actualite.cd/index.php/2025...la-sante-signale-levasion-des-128-malades-des

----------------------------------------------
See also:

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo​

Complex Humanitarian Crisis


Go to post​​
 
Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || Feb. 13, 2025



​Screenshots:

image.png - Click image for larger version  Name:	image.png Views:	1 Size:	160.3 KB ID:	1007555


image.png - Click image for larger version  Name:	image.png Views:	1 Size:	176.2 KB ID:	1007556


image.png - Click image for larger version  Name:	image.png Views:	1 Size:	258.7 KB ID:	1007557
 

Attachments

  • image.png
    image.png
    167.2 KB · Views: 0
Translation Google

Massive MPOX vaccination campaign in Kinshasa targets over 660,000 people, more than half of whom are children

February 22, 2025

KINSHASA, 22 February 2025 – The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, with the support of WHO, UNICEF and Africa CDC, today launched a vaccination campaign against mpox targeting more than 660,000 people, including for the first time nearly 337,679 children aged 1 to 17 years.

This campaign covers five health zones in Kinshasa, among the "hottest" in terms of transmission of the mpox virus, namely Bumbu, Kalamu 2, Limete, Lingwala and N'Sele. During the campaign, all eligible persons will receive a first dose of the MVA-BN vaccine.

The vaccination campaign, which will take place over 10 days from February 22 to March 3, 2025, will be supported by approximately 579 teams of frontline health workers trained for this purpose and deployed according to the geographical strategy of the health zones concerned, and 20 teams are specifically dedicated to the targeted strategy. Vaccination teams will also be deployed to the Congo River islets to vaccinate children living in the health areas near Limete.

“We are at a major turning point in our collective efforts to control the MPOX epidemic in our country, we are resolutely committed to vaccinating and protecting every eligible person,” said Dr Dieudonné Mwamba Kazadi, Director General of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

“The MPOX vaccine is completely safe. Each dose administered to an eligible child or adult boosts the desired immunity. With our partners and donors including the FCDO, we are supporting this MPOX vaccination campaign in the city-province of Kinshasa, while improving the surveillance system, the management of infected people and the application of other effective infection prevention and control measures. Our priority is to reach every eligible person to protect them from this potentially deadly virus, thus breaking the chain of transmission and stopping the spread of the epidemic,” stressed Dr Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO Representative in the DRC.

Since the beginning of 2024, nearly 180,000 people have already benefited from monkeypox vaccination in the country's hardest-hit provinces, such as Equateur, North Kivu, South Kivu and Sankuru, including 23,373 in the city of Kinshasa alone.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is among the most affected countries in the world, having recorded a total of 79,519 suspected cases of mpox, with 1,507 tragic deaths spread across all its 26 provinces between the first week of 2024 and the sixth week of 2025, according to official data; which is alarming.

Between January 1, 2024 and February 9, 2025, more than 14,976 cases of MPOX were laboratory-confirmed in the country's 26 provinces.

https://www.afro.who.int/fr/countri...kinshasa-cible-plus-de-660-000-personnes-dont
 
Translation Google

Mpox in South Kivu: escape of ten patients from the Miti-Murhesa treatment center, alerts the Ministry of Health

Sunday, February 23, 2025 - 2:48 p.m.

The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security published this Monday its report on the epidemiological situation of Mpox or monkeypox in the DRC, particularly in Kinshasa and the province of South Kivu during week 06.

During this period, 17 Mpox patients, including 10 confirmed positive and 7 awaiting results interned in the Miti-Murhesa health zone fled, due to armed fighting between the DRC armed forces and the M23 rebels. The Ministry of Health also reported a bombing at the Mpox treatment center in Kalehe.

Regarding the management of the epidemic in Kinshasa, 164 new cases were reported, including 10 critical cases, 29 severe cases, 54 moderate cases and 71 mild cases. The Ministry of Health recorded a total of 2 confirmed deaths.

Regarding vaccination, 20,736 people have been vaccinated and 711 have received the second dose, according to SE6 data.

Regarding the situation of frontline personnel (FLP), 61 suspected cases have been reported, including 19 confirmed cases of Mpox in 5 provinces of the DRC.

In addition, the Ministry of Health announced that it had launched, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, a mass awareness campaign in the Pakadjuma neighborhood, with a view to addressing the community's concerns about Mpox, vaccines and care. This event will be coupled with a vaccination session. It also recalled that the response strategy to the Mpox epidemic in North and South Kivu is currently being developed.

Since week 01 2024 to week 06 2025, the DRC has recorded 79,519 suspected cases to date, including 14,976 confirmed cases and 1,507 deaths (case fatality rate of 1.51%). And a total of 78,393 people vaccinated for the first dose of the vaccine.

Thanks GUKA

https://actualite.cd/2025/02/23/mpo...lades-du-centre-de-traitement-de-miti-murhesa
 
Translation Google

Tshopo: more than 40 cases of Mpox recorded in Bengamisa

Sunday March 2, 2025 - 6:36 p.m.

Since October 2024, more than 40 cases of Mpox have been recorded at the health center of the Catholic mission of Bengamisa, located 54 km from Kisangani, in the territory of Banalia, province of Tshopo. This epidemic mainly affects adults, according to local sources. Four deaths have already been recorded, including that of a 14-year-old girl, the first victim recorded in this health zone. Nurses warn of a rapid spread of the disease, while no dedicated space is available to isolate the sick.

Faced with this situation, the health centre's carers, left to their own devices, denounce the lack of medication and support.

"Patients suffering from Mpox are abandoned to their sad fate. We manage as best we can to treat them. No awareness campaign is carried out, and care for victims is almost non-existent," regrets Lotuli Baombi Aimé, a nurse at the Bengamisa health centre.

Jean Claude Lokonga, a nurse in the same centre, shares the same concerns.

"We fear a rise in cases due to the rapid spread of the virus. Due to lack of medicines, we are writing prescriptions to patients so that they can buy their own treatment," he explains.

The lack of medical equipment and protection, as well as the poverty of patients, further complicates the fight against the disease. In addition, the confusion between Mpox and chickenpox pushes many residents to favour traditional treatments rather than going to health facilities.

To contain the epidemic, urgent intervention is necessary, particularly to ensure the care of patients and organize vaccination campaigns. The Bengamisa health zone, which extends from PK 18 to PK 110 on the Kisangani-Banalia road, is still waiting for effective health support to slow the spread of the virus.

From Kisangani, Gabriel Makabu

https://actualite.cd/2025/03/02/tshopo-plus-de-40-cas-de-mpox-enregistres-bengamisa
 
image.png - Click image for larger version  Name:	image.png Views:	1 Size:	36.0 KB ID:	1008959

N'djili Airport
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%27djili_Airport
------------------------------------------------

Translation Google

Mpox in the DRC: a suspected case detected at N'djili international airport

March 2, 2025

Kinshasa, March 2 , 2025 (ACP).- A suspected case of Mpox on an individual in his forties was isolated on Friday at N'djili international airport in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we learned on Sunday from a health source.

" Last Friday, February 26, a user of the N'djili airport platform came to the airport health service because he had noticed the presence of skin rashes on his body. We screened (evaluated) the individual and noted the presence of skin rashes on the head, trunk, hands and soles of the feet, evolving for three days, with the notion of fever ," Dr. Claude Taty, head of the border hygiene post (PNHF) at N'djili international airport, told the ACP.

A diagnosis of an Mpox alert was made, he indicated, before reporting that the health zone of the commune of N'sele was contacted and the individual assessed in the local hospital, Kinkole General Reference Hospital, the closest in the east of Kinshasa.

" After investigation, the alert was validated, the sample was taken and the result came back positive for Mpox ," said the doctor, head of the PNHF station.

According to him, the department was able to disinfect the premises where the patient had been received and a pre-list of contacts had been drawn up, with a view to monitoring by the surveillance team.

To this end, the PNHF was able to share information with the Airways Authority (RVA), a public operator managing the country's airports, with the aim of strengthening epidemiological surveillance at N'djili international airport.

Since July 2024, the date of the announcement of the Mpox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 3 alerts had been raised in the N'djili airport platform, the most recent of which was a positive case, according to the doctor.

A specialized service of the Ministry of Public Health, the PNHF is responsible for ensuring health controls at the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/mpox-en-rdc-un-cas-suspect-detecte-a-laeroport-international-de-ndjili/
 
Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || Mar. 6, 2025


​-----------------
Screenshot

image.png
 
Translation Google

Mpox in Tanganyika: more than 200 suspected cases reported since January in Moba

March 19, 2025

Moba, March 19, 2025 (ACP).- Two hundred and forty-two (242) suspected cases of Mpox (monkey pox) have been reported since the beginning of 2025 in the health zone of Moba, in the territory of the same name, Tanganyika province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we learned on Wednesday from a health source.

" 242 suspected cases of Mpox have been reported since the beginning of the year in the Moba health zone, in the territory of the same name, in the province of Tanganyika ," said Dr. Barouine Momat, chief physician of the Moba health zone.

" None of these suspected cases have been confirmed so far. This is in contrast to the previous year, when the area recorded 57 suspected cases, including four confirmed ," he added.

On this occasion, he called on the population to adopt preventive measures to limit the spread of the disease, before reassuring that the health authorities are committed to intensifying information and awareness-raising efforts among the community.

Dr. Momat said educational campaigns will be implemented to inform citizens about the signs and symptoms of MPOX, as well as the measures to take to protect themselves.

Regarding the epidemiological data for week (SE) 8, from February 17 to 23, and the cumulative total of weeks 1 to 8 of the year 2025, 1,918 suspected cases were recorded for a total of 81,497 cases, with 44 suspected deaths, for a cumulative total of 1,593, with a case fatality rate of 2.29% and 1.95%, the press release added. ACP/UKB

https://acp.cd/sante/mpox-a-tanganyika-plus-de-200-cas-suspects-notifies-depuis-janvier-a-moba/

 
Translation Google

South Kivu: More than 6,000 cases of Mpox and 7 deaths recorded since the beginning of the year

Sunday, March 23, 2025 - 8:47 PM

At least 6,124 cases of MPOX were recorded in first semester of 2025 in South Kivu province. The figures were provided by the South Kivu Provincial Health Division.

On the list of affected health zones, Miti-Murhesa occupies the first place followed by the health zone of Nyangezi which occupies the second place, Uvira, Nyantende follow after.

Dr. Claude Bahizire, communications officer of the DPS South Kivu, revealed that during the current week, 461 cases of Mpox were recorded in the province of South Kivu, however no deaths were reported.
...

https://actualite.cd/2025/03/23/sud...7-deces-enregistres-depuis-le-debut-de-lannee

--------------------------------

MPOX: Vaccine does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (Director General of the National Institute of Public Health)

March 22, 2025

Kinshasa, March 22, 2024 (ACP).- The Mpox vaccine does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, the director general of the National Institute of Public Health argued on Friday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), during a conference on the infodemic linked to Mpox and the vaccine.

"The Mpox vaccine does not protect against all sexually transmitted diseases. Just because you have been vaccinated against Mpox does not mean you are protected against all sexually transmitted diseases," said Dr. Dieudonné Mwamba Kazadi, Director General of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

"The Mpox vaccine provides immunity, but it is not complete and lasting. We are continuing studies to find out how long this immunity lasts and to have much more evidence," said the doctor, who was responding to a question about the rumor that once vaccinated, sex workers can have sex with anyone without any other precautions.

In this regard, he called on this category of people to take preventive measures, including the use of condoms during sexual intercourse to avoid catching other sexually transmitted diseases, but also to take precautions in matters of sexual and reproductive health, including awareness raising and education.

Furthermore, the Director General of the INSP addressed the issue of any request for fees by the MPOX treatment centers, despite the announcement of free treatment.

"MPOX care is indeed free in health facilities designated by the Ministry of Public Health. These facilities receive financial and logistical support from international partners to ensure free access to patients. If fees are illegally charged, patients are encouraged to report these cases via dedicated hotlines or preferably to health centers ," he said.

Health authorities, the doctor continued, have put in place mechanisms to investigate these abuses. The main objective is to prevent such practices from undermining confidence in the health system and the effectiveness of campaigns to combat the epidemic.

Dr. Mwamba said that in principle, the Mpox vaccination requires two doses, given at an interval of 28 days, or four weeks. The first dose provides immunity of more than 70%, and the second dose further increases this immunity.

He said there is a great need in terms of vaccine availability.

"Today, the vaccines available in the country are in insufficient quantity. "The quantities received in the country, we have already used them, particularly in Kinshasa and in the eastern provinces during the first and second phases. But the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, in collaboration with its partners, are currently advocating to obtain additional doses of vaccine and these promised doses will be available from next week ," he explained.

The director of the INSP recalled that the Mpox epidemic continues to rage in the DRC. The country is still the epicenter of the epidemic where a large number of cases are still being recorded. "We are called upon to continue the fight, to combine our efforts to achieve control of this epidemic as soon as possible. To be able to control this epidemic, we must work together with the community, and that the latter adheres to the recommended preventive measures, in particular avoiding direct contact with people showing signs of the disease," he recommended.

This press conference was organized by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) through the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Incident Management System (CREC-SGI).

ACP/CL

https://acp.cd/sante/mpox-le-vaccin...eral-de-linstitut-national-de-sante-publique/
 
Translation Google

DRC-MPOX: Vaccination resumes in North Kivu despite persistent insecurity

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - 12:03

Vaccination activities against the Mpox epidemic in North Kivu have been launched despite the unstable security situation. More than 1,400 people have already been vaccinated, according to the WHO.

Due to the intensification of the outbreak in and around the city of Goma in late January, MPOX patients fled health facilities to seek safety. This population movement raised fears of new outbreaks of the disease.

Since then, the province has experienced a resurgence of the disease with 345 suspected cases, including 85 confirmed, as of mid-March 2025. In total, North Kivu has reported 1,712 suspected cases, including 193 confirmed, since the beginning of the year.

North Kivu was chosen as the pilot province for the official launch of the Mpox vaccination campaign on January 5, 2025, in Goma, the provincial capital. The city has been occupied by AFC/M23 rebels since late January.

https://actualite.cd/2025/04/02/rdc...ord-kivu-malgre-la-persistance-de-linsecurite
 
Translation Google

DRC: More than 1,450 cases of Mpox reported in the 14th epidemiological week

April 14, 2025

Kinshasa, April 14, 2025 (ACP).- One thousand four hundred and fifty-three (1,453) cases of Mpox (monkey pox) were reported in the 14th epidemiological week, from March 31 to April 5, 2025, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we learned Monday in a press release from the Ministry of Health.

" The data for week 14 show 1,453 reported cases and 4 deaths, with a weekly case fatality rate of 0.28%. At the national level, the cumulative total reached more than 96,000 cases and 1,700 deaths, representing an overall case fatality rate of 1.8%. A downward trend is noted in the majority of provinces ," it read.

According to the source, analyses reveal that while confirmed cases mainly concern young adults, deaths mainly affect children aged 0 to 14.

" Several hypotheses are being explored, including the late arrival of patients at treatment centers, the availability of medications and the quality of care ," the source added.

Regarding the Mpox vaccination, the source indicated that two new batches of vaccines (63,000 doses of the MVA vaccine and 50,000 doses of the LCCS vaccine) have recently arrived in the country.

According to the Ministry of Health, preparation activities for the continuation of vaccination are underway, particularly in Kinshasa and other targeted provinces.

" Rapid response teams have been deployed to six provinces, namely Tshopo, Sud-Ubangi, Équateur, Tanganyika, Kinshasa and North Kivu to strengthen surveillance, data collection and coordination on the ground ," the source said.

https://acp.cd/sante/rdc-plus-de-1-450-cas-de-mpox-notifies-a-la-14eme-semaine-epidemiologique/

---------------------------------------------------
Ministry of Health/DRC
18 h

Epidemiological situation ofMpox


Week 14: 1,453 cases reported, 4 deaths (weekly case fatality rate: 0.28%).
National cumulative: +96,000 cases and 1,700 deaths (overall fatality rate: 1.8%), downward trend in most provinces.
Deaths mainly among 0-14 year olds: hypotheses linked to late treatment, availability of medication and quality of care.

Vaccination campaign

New batches received: 63,000 doses (MVA vaccine) and 50,000 doses (LCCS vaccine).
Ongoing activities: preparation in Kinshasa and targeted provinces; deployment of rapid teams in 6 provinces (including North Kivu, Tshopo) for monitoring and coordination.

...

 
Back
Top