Congo Initiates Mpox Vaccination Campaign Amid Rising Outbreak

The Democratic Republic of Congo has commenced a vaccination initiative against mpox, with 265,000 doses provided by the EU and the US, following a WHO emergency declaration. Goma is the initial location for vaccinations amidst a backdrop of over 30,000 suspected cases. Targeting high-risk adults, the campaign responds to significant challenges of limited vaccine access while addressing an escalating outbreak affecting vulnerable groups.

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, health officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo initiated a vaccination campaign against mpox, responding to a global emergency declaration by the World Health Organization approximately two months earlier. The vaccination drive commenced in Goma, North Kivu province, where 265,000 doses donated by the European Union and the United States were administered amid escalating cases and fatalities attributed to a new, potentially more infectious mpox strain. Congo has reported over 30,000 suspected cases of mpox and approximately 859 deaths this year alone, representing over 80% of Africa’s total cases and an alarming 99% of the continent’s deaths linked to the outbreak. Although the majority of infections and fatalities have occurred among children under 15, vaccinations are initially being targeted at adults who are deemed at-risk, as per Health Minister Roger Kamba’s statements. Furthermore, plans are underway to receive an additional three million doses that have been approved for use in children from Japan in the coming days. Historically, mpox had spread quietly across Africa until the significant 2022 global outbreak prompted a vigorous response from wealthier nations, which rapidly dispatched vaccines, leaving African nations with inadequate supplies despite persistent requests for assistance. The current outbreak in Africa, as reported by Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO’s mpox emergency committee, has seen a shift in transmission dynamics, impacting vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women, alongside sexual transmission pathways. Data from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates over 34,000 suspected mpox cases and 866 deaths across 16 African countries this year, marking a staggering 200% increase compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, vaccine accessibility remains severely restricted, with only a commitment for 5.9 million doses across the continent, which will be available from October through December. It is noteworthy that the province of North Kivu is particularly susceptible to a larger outbreak due to prevalent humanitarian challenges and unstable conditions, exacerbated by armed conflicts and significant displacement. The commencement of the vaccination campaign was met with relief among health workers, including Dr. Musole Mulambamunva Robert from Kavumu Hospital, a treatment center for mpox, who emphasized the critical need for widespread vaccination to mitigate disease transmission. Eastern Congo remains in the grip of prolonged conflict, with over 100 armed factions contributing to a complex humanitarian crisis in the region.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has faced a serious mpox outbreak, with the World Health Organization declaring a global emergency due to the rapid spread of the disease beyond Congo into several African nations. Most infections have been reported among children, yet the initial vaccination efforts focus on adults and frontline health workers. The country has been under strain with a reported 30,000 suspected cases and numerous deaths, placing pressure on its healthcare system. Despite the dire situation, access to the vaccine remains a challenge due to limited supplies on the continent, with the government actively seeking additional doses to protect its vulnerable population.

The mpox vaccination campaign in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a critical step towards controlling the outbreak that has devastated the nation, particularly among children. Limited vaccine availability in Africa poses significant challenges, yet efforts by the Congolese government, alongside international support, aim to provide necessary immunization to at-risk populations. As health authorities strive to combat the escalating crisis, the emphasis on widespread vaccination remains paramount in mitigating further spread and casualties associated with mpox.

Original Source: apnews.com