On Tuesday, U.N. agencies issued a warning about the escalating mpox outbreak in refugee camps across the Democratic Republic of Congo. The situation is particularly alarming due to the overcrowded conditions and weakened immune systems of the displaced populations. Congo, which faces one of the highest levels of displacement globally, has over 7 million people who have been forced to leave their homes due to internal conflicts and disasters, as well as those arriving from neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
According to the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, there have been approximately 42 suspected mpox cases reported in refugee camps and transit centers in South Kivu, a region with nearly 2 million internally displaced people and refugees. Dr. Allen Maina, Public Health Chief for UNHCR, highlighted the severe difficulties in managing mpox among displaced populations, noting that the lack of space makes it challenging to isolate those who show symptoms. Infected individuals are resorting to sleeping outside of the shelters to avoid further transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported over 18,000 suspected mpox cases and 615 deaths in Congo this year. The organization declared a health emergency this month following the emergence of a new variant, clade Ib. Mpox, characterized by flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, is primarily sexually transmitted but can also spread through close contact with infected individuals. WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris indicated that South Kivu is a hotspot for the clade Ib variant, though it is still uncertain if the cases there involve this more contagious strain.
In light of the crisis, Dr. Maina emphasized the need for enhanced disease prevention efforts and improvements in camp conditions to prevent further spread. The focus should remain on managing and containing the outbreak rather than allowing the camps to become centers for a broader epidemic. The situation in North Kivu, where mpox cases have also been reported, further underscores the urgent need for comprehensive public health measures.
