more than 50,000 vaccinated against mpox in DR Congo, Rwanda

In a continued effort to control the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa, over 50,000 people have been vaccinated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the African Union’s health agency recently warned that the outbreak is far from contained and emphasized the urgent need for resources to prevent a potential crisis on a scale similar to, or worse than, the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since January, the continent has recorded around 48,000 mpox cases, with over 1,100 reported fatalities, largely concentrated in the DRC, which remains the outbreak’s epicenter. Last month, the DRC launched an extensive vaccination campaign, aiming to curb the virus’s spread with help from vaccine donations provided by the United States and the European Commission.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the vaccination progress and disclosed that nearly 900,000 vaccine doses were allocated to nine African countries this week as part of an initiative led by WHO and its partners. This distribution is the first installment of almost six million doses that WHO aims to provide through its Access and Allocation Mechanism by the end of 2024.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease transmitted to humans by infected animals and can spread through close physical contact. Related to smallpox, mpox typically causes symptoms like fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that progresses to blisters.

Health authorities stress the importance of sustained efforts to contain mpox, as many African nations continue to face challenges in accessing vaccines and resources, putting millions at risk. The campaign’s success is vital not only for the DRC but also for the broader African region as it strives to prevent further spread and potential fatalities.