Discover the Healthy Solution: Tips to Combat Mpox Outbreak in DRC

A dangerous new strain of mpox has infected at least 25 people in a major city in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo , sparking concerns about the potential for the virus to spread across borders . Mpox , previously known as monkeypox , caused a global epidemic in 2022 , affecting over 100 countries and predominantly impacting gay and bisexual men.

The DRC is currently facing challenges in controlling a more lethal variant of the virus , referred to as clade 1 , which has a mortality rate of up to 10 percent . This year alone , the country has recorded over 11,000 cases of mpox , resulting in the deaths of 443 individuals , with the majority being children.

In April , scientists identified a new strain of mpox with pandemic potential in Kamituga , a densely populated gold mining town in the province of South Kivu . This variant , known as clade 1b , is more adept at spreading among individuals , primarily through sexual contact . Additionally , it possesses mutations that can evade detection by certain existing tests , raising concerns about effective identification and containment measures.

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has been closely monitoring the situation in the DRC and has expressed concerns about the rapid spread of the new strain of mpox . With its ability to transmit more efficiently between individuals , particularly through sexual interactions , the virus poses a significant public health threat in the region.

Efforts to prevent further transmission of the virus are underway , with health authorities in the DRC implementing measures to contain the outbreak in Kamituga . However , the itinerant nature of the population in the area , combined with the presence of a significant sex trade , presents challenges in effectively controlling the spread of the virus.

As the situation continues to evolve , international collaboration and support will be crucial in combating the spread of the new strain of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo and preventing its potential spread to other countries . The WHO is working closely with local health authorities to strengthen surveillance and response efforts , with a focus on implementing targeted interventions to curb the outbreak.