DRC Faces Severe Mpox Outbreak with 16,000 Cases, 570 Deaths as Vaccinations Begin

Aug 21, 2024, 08:46 AM

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing a severe mpox outbreak, with over 16,000 cases and approximately 570 deaths reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the situation a global public health emergency. In response, African countries, including the DRC, are preparing to start mpox vaccinations within days. The Africa CDC plans to distribute 10 million vaccines by the end of 2025. However, challenges such as vaccine shortages, high costs, and limited testing capabilities persist. The international community, including the US and Europe, is contributing vaccine doses and funding to support the response efforts. The outbreak is primarily driven by a new strain, clade 1b, with fatality rates between 1.4% and 10%. Public health experts emphasize the need for global solidarity and equitable vaccine distribution to manage the crisis effectively.