In a shocking development, the mpox epidemic has reached Kinshasa, the bustling capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, putting a significant strain on global efforts to control the virus. Recent reports highlight the alarming spread of mpox, particularly affecting vulnerable populations, including children and women who turn to sex work for survival.

One affected individual, Mireille Efonge, began experiencing severe symptoms just a few months ago. The 32-year-old mother noted a fever followed by painful blisters in her groin area, rendering her too weak to move. In a desperate act for help, her neighbors carried her to a makeshift health center in Pakadjuma, a densely populated and impoverished neighborhood in Kinshasa.

Upon arrival, Efonge received immediate medical attention. A nurse quickly called an ambulance as her condition deteriorated further, with lesions appearing on her head and body, each causing excruciating pain. After extensive examinations, doctors diagnosed her with mpox—a term that was unfamiliar to her at the time. “I’d never heard of it,” she recalled, expressing her shock and fear as she faced the debilitating illness.

The mpox virus, which shares a close genetic relationship with smallpox, had remained largely unknown in Kinshasa until August. However, with its sudden emergence, health officials are scrambling to respond to this outbreak. Residents of Kinshasa, a city of approximately 17 million people, are now grappling with the reality of this new health threat.

Global health organizations are mobilizing resources to combat the outbreak, but experts warn that the lack of access to healthcare facilities and widespread misinformation could hinder containment efforts. As the situation unfolds, the plight of those affected by mpox—especially marginalized communities—raises urgent concerns about equity in health care and epidemic preparedness.

The alarming resurgence of mpox, especially in urban centers like Kinshasa, underscores the need for immediate action to provide care and raise public awareness. The world is watching as this situation develops—will Kinshasa's health crisis lead to a resurgence of an old fear, and how will global health leaders respond?