The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has recently faced a significant outbreak of mpox, leading to the launch of a vaccination campaign in the eastern city of Goma. This initiative comes as a direct response to more than 30,000 reported cases and 988 deaths attributed to the virus since the beginning of the year. Originally scheduled for a previous Wednesday, the rollout of the vaccination program was postponed by three days due to logistical challenges in transporting the vaccines within the nation, which suffers from infrastructural deficiencies. During the initial phase, medical staff were prioritized for vaccination, with plans to extend the program to include the general population the following Monday.
Health officials have emphasized the urgency of addressing the mpox epidemic, which has caused a devastating impact, particularly on children under five, who account for approximately 70% of the fatalities. Dr. Jeannine Muhavi, one of the first individuals vaccinated, highlighted the importance of protecting healthcare workers who are in constant contact with patients. The health ministry has initiated this vaccination campaign to combat a disease that they describe as both treatable and avoidable. Romain Muboyayi, the chief of staff at the ministry, conveyed a strong commitment to fighting the outbreak effectively, indicating that local installations have been set up to facilitate the distribution and administration of vaccines.
The DRC has secured 265,000 doses of the mpox vaccine, primarily through donations from the United States and the European Union, with expectations for millions more doses to arrive from Japan, France, and the United States in the future. However, Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba has clarified that the vaccination strategy will not involve a mass campaign. Instead, the focus will be on high-risk groups, including health workers and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, underscoring the challenge of addressing a health crisis in a nation with a population of 100 million using a limited vaccine supply.
While the current vaccine doses from Bavarian Nordic are designated for adults, discussions are underway to obtain additional supplies from Japan, which offers a vaccine suitable for both adults and children. Japan has committed to donating three million doses, responding to the urgent need for vaccination options for younger populations. Additionally, the United States government has announced plans to donate one million doses to African nations in a broader effort to combat mpox, committing $500 million for preventive measures and responses in the region.
In a related development, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the first diagnostic test for mpox, designed to detect the virus from swabs taken from lesions on patients. The WHO has pledged to provide around 4,500 tests to the DRC, although the timeline for their arrival remains uncertain. Understanding the history of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, reveals its first identification in Denmark in 1958 among research monkeys, followed by its emergence in humans in the DRC in 1970. Symptoms of the disease can range from painful rashes to fever and, in severe cases, may lead to death.
The resurgence of mpox gained international attention in May 2022 when a specific strain known as clade 2b began spreading globally, particularly impacting gay and bisexual men. As a result, the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in July 2022, highlighting the virus’s ability to circulate across 16 African nations as reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This recent vaccination effort in the DRC represents a crucial step in addressing both the local epidemic and the ongoing global concerns surrounding the mpox virus, emphasizing the need for widespread awareness and preventive measures.
