Last month, an increasing number of cases of MPox virus infections were recorded worldwide. The virus is mainly prevalent on the African continent.
MPox virus rages in DR Congo
The largest increase was recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has become the epicentre of the epidemic, with 17,794 cases to date. Most cases are in the east of the country, a region already ravaged by violent armed conflict, which is complicating efforts to halt the spread of the virus. In addition, North and South Kivu now have more than 400,000 displaced persons.
The emergence of a more deadly strain of the disease led the WHO to declare it a «public health emergency of international concern» on 14 August. The first cases have also been recorded in the capital, Kinshasa.
Locally, in the absence of sufficient vaccine doses, the main strategies for containing the virus are communication about the health risk and raising awareness of preventive measures, as well as daily recording of registered cases.
Global epidemic, local awareness
Our partner Southern Star (EDS), an organisation promoting the right to health based in Kinshasa, has been organising for several weeks, both in the capital and in the provinces, to tackle the scourge of the MPox epidemic raging in the DRC.
“We must use the Covid experience to respond effectively to this phenomenon, MPox. Churches, schools, non-profit organisations, foundations, households and others must be our main targets for raising awareness. We must use a network strategy: contacts, acquaintances, social networks and fieldwork. These are irrefutable weapons for eradicating this virus.”
Platini, Head of Youth Dynamics at EDS
In Kinshasa, for example, EDS organised two meetings bringing together more than 40 volunteers from civil society to stop the spread of the virus in the municipality of Kintambo, a densely populated area of the capital which is therefore more vulnerable to the virus.
EDS facilitators are currently conducting a series of field training sessions with basic explanations about MPox: its origin, how it is transmitted, and ways to contain it. In doing so, they aim to equip other citizens with prevention tools, who then organise themselves to extend it to other neighbourhoods, schools and health centres.
So far, the exchanges have been fruitful. In the coming weeks, EDS will extend its awareness-raising activities to other areas of the DR Congo, including the Kivu region, both in person and online.
“The population has more confidence in what EDS is doing on the ground, and this awareness campaign gives them some hope: the population no longer knows how to react given the extent of the spread.”
Brigitte, dynamic head of women's affairs at EDS
UPDATE
As we write this article, we have received news from our partner EDS that 20 healthcare workers in South Kivu have been infected with MPox.. Always on the front line and therefore highly exposed to epidemics, EDS reiterates its determination to secure better working conditions for Congolese healthcare workers.
You can support their work by making a donation to Viva Salud.
MPox virus in figures:
- The Minister of Health reported that the DRC needed 3.5 million doses of vaccine. These vaccines should be supplied with the help of the international community (including Belgium) in the coming weeks.
- By comparison, the WHO estimates that MPox killed 89 people worldwide in 2022.
- Since the beginning of the year, UNICEF has estimated that 8,772 children had contracted the disease in the DRC., or more than half of the 15,664 cases reported in the country, according to the latest available data. A total of 548 people have died, including 463 children.
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