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Monday, February 10, 2025
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Children Hardest Hit by Mpox Outbreak in Eastern DR Congo

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In the ongoing mpox outbreak, children are suffering the most, with nearly all recent cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo affecting the young. This year, DR Congo has reported almost all mpox cases globally and over 450 deaths. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern.

In the eastern DR Congo, treatment centers are overwhelmed as they deal with a high volume of cases among children. Dr. Pierre-Olivier Ngadjole from Medair reports that 75% of cases involve children under ten. The outbreak’s impact is exacerbated by overcrowded conditions in refugee camps where children frequently come into close contact, facilitating the virus’s spread.

One local mother, Nzigire Kanigo, has seen all her children contract mpox, including her two-year-old daughter. “We initially mistook it for measles,” she says. The clinic in Munigi, which provides free treatment, is seeing a daily influx of new cases but has not recorded any deaths due to early medical intervention.

In contrast, the hospital in Kavumu, located south-west of Munigi, is struggling with limited resources. With 800 patients treated since June and eight deaths among them, officials there face significant challenges in patient accommodation and medicine availability.

The outbreak, caused by the Clade 1b strain, has prompted the Congolese government to anticipate vaccine shipments from the US and Japan. In the meantime, health workers emphasize the importance of improved hygiene and protective measures to curb the virus’s spread.

Residents of overcrowded camps, like Mudja near Mount Nyiragongo, are calling for more support and resources to prevent further infections. As the situation develops, the urgent need for comprehensive aid and effective disease management remains critical.

Credit: BBC

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