Congo faces setback in mpox response
Hospitals across eastern Congo that were once at the forefront of the country’s response to the mpox outbreak are facing a setback in detecting the disease and offering treatment following the advance of Rwanda-backed rebels in the region.
The mpox global health emergency is worsening as the fighting between the M23 rebel group and Congolese troops escalates in eastern Congo, which has been the epicenter of the health crisis. Many patients have fled and can’t be found. Recently arrived vaccines are running short as supplies can’t reach combat zones. Hospitals have been under attack.
The Associated Press visited one of the mpox hot spots, which is now under control of M23 rebels backed by neighbouring Rwanda. Health workers and remaining patients described a growing disaster.
“The situation has been very difficult. Insecurity has disrupted everything,” said Dr Serge Munyahu Cikuru, medical officer in charge of the Miti Murhesa health zone in South Kivu province’s Kabare territory.
The country, meanwhile, continues to battle other diseases in the east, including cholera and measles, in addition to mysterious outbreaks that recently started in the north-western region.
Cases are not being reported as before
Congo saw a 31% weekly increase in mpox cases last week, bringing the total to 16 255, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, that is only one side of the story: Only seven out of the 26 provinces reported cases last week, the public health agency said at its last briefing, partly blaming the security crisis.
Although Congo has seen a surge in the current vaccination phase as compared to the previous one, much of that success is in other regions while eastern Congo remains cut off.
The Miti Murhesa treatment centre is fast running out of supplies.
Mubake Buroko Patrick, an mpox patient at the facility, said it was difficult to get drugs in the weeks following the fighting.
“The war has complicated our access to medicines,” he said. “I’m feeling a little better, but the treatment needs to be improved.”
The mpox global health emergency is worsening as the fighting between the M23 rebel group and Congolese troops escalates in eastern Congo, which has been the epicenter of the health crisis. Many patients have fled and can’t be found. Recently arrived vaccines are running short as supplies can’t reach combat zones. Hospitals have been under attack.
The Associated Press visited one of the mpox hot spots, which is now under control of M23 rebels backed by neighbouring Rwanda. Health workers and remaining patients described a growing disaster.
“The situation has been very difficult. Insecurity has disrupted everything,” said Dr Serge Munyahu Cikuru, medical officer in charge of the Miti Murhesa health zone in South Kivu province’s Kabare territory.
The country, meanwhile, continues to battle other diseases in the east, including cholera and measles, in addition to mysterious outbreaks that recently started in the north-western region.
Cases are not being reported as before
Congo saw a 31% weekly increase in mpox cases last week, bringing the total to 16 255, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, that is only one side of the story: Only seven out of the 26 provinces reported cases last week, the public health agency said at its last briefing, partly blaming the security crisis.
Although Congo has seen a surge in the current vaccination phase as compared to the previous one, much of that success is in other regions while eastern Congo remains cut off.
The Miti Murhesa treatment centre is fast running out of supplies.
Mubake Buroko Patrick, an mpox patient at the facility, said it was difficult to get drugs in the weeks following the fighting.
“The war has complicated our access to medicines,” he said. “I’m feeling a little better, but the treatment needs to be improved.”
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