Introduction

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a concerning uptick in mpox cases in Kinshasa, the sprawling capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is home to approximately 17 million residents. Alarmingly, a new case in Ghana marks a significant escalation, bringing the total number of affected countries in Africa to 16.

Current Situation in Kinshasa

Recent reports indicate that Kinshasa has documented 616 suspected cases, with 171 of these confirmed. Though there have been no reported fatalities in the city so far, health officials are sounding the alarm as the outbreak is increasingly attributed to both the traditional clade Ia and the more infectious sub-variant, clade Ib.

Urgent Need for Intervention

The Africa CDC emphasizes that the surge of cases within Kinshasa signals an urgent need for intervention. Historically, mpox has been endemic in central and west Africa, but the current outbreak, which originated in eastern Congo, has raised serious concerns. The novel clade Ib is reportedly spreading through sexual transmission and close physical contact, resulting in severe infections, including the tragic deaths of many children.

Potential for Further Transmission

With Kinshasa's densely populated environment and extensive air travel connections, the potential for further transmission, both locally and internationally, remains high. Alarmingly, in 2023 alone, Africa has seen over 34,000 suspected mpox cases—more than triple the figure from the previous year. The rates of infection are staggering, with around 95% of the cases concentrated in Congo and Burundi, leading to approximately 866 reported deaths across the continent.

Response and Vaccination Efforts

In a bid to combat this alarming trend, approximately 5.9 million doses of the mpox vaccine have been earmarked for Africa, with an immunization campaign set to commence in Congo on October 5. Furthermore, the continent is on track to receive about $1.1 billion in aid, including a substantial $500 million contribution from the United States. The Africa CDC is poised to make critical decisions regarding the allocation of these funds this week.

Additional Health Crises

Compounding these health crises, Rwanda recently reported its first-ever infections of the deadly Marburg virus, highlighting a volatile public health landscape in the region. With mpox and Marburg both posing significant threats, the situation calls for global attention and coordinated health responses. The time to act is now, as communities brace for what could be a perilous battle against these viral outbreaks.