Congo Launches Mpox Vaccination Drive Amid Rising Outbreaks
Congo has launched an mpox vaccination campaign in Goma, distributing 265,000 doses following a global health emergency declaration by WHO. The outbreak has resulted in over 30,000 suspected cases and 859 deaths in the country, which constitutes a significant proportion of mpox cases in Africa. The campaign primarily targets adults and at-risk populations, with additional vaccine doses expected from Japan.
GOMA, Congo (AP) — In response to an escalating mpox outbreak, Congolese health authorities commenced a vaccination campaign on October 5, 2024, in Goma, North Kivu province. The initiative comes nearly two months after the World Health Organization classified the spread of mpox as a global health emergency. Approximately 265,000 doses of the vaccine, contributed by the European Union and the United States, have been distributed to combat this rising health crisis. Congo is severely impacted by the ongoing mpox outbreak, reporting over 30,000 suspected cases and 859 fatalities, accounting for over 80% of Africa’s mpox cases and 99% of deaths this year. Reports indicate that most infections have occurred among children under age 15, yet the current vaccination rollout targets primarily adults, particularly at-risk groups and front-line healthcare workers. Health Minister Roger Kamba confirmed that strategies are in place to ensure the vaccination of these individuals, with further doses expected soon from Japan, focusing on children. Dr. Dimie Ogoina, chair of the WHO’s mpox emergency committee, noted that unlike previous outbreaks predominantly impacting gay and bisexual men, the mpox virus in Africa is now being transmitted through multiple channels, including sexual transmission among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. Despite a spike in cases—over 34,000 suspected instances and 866 deaths across 16 African countries—the continent faces significant challenges in vaccine accessibility, with only 5.9 million doses committed for distribution in the upcoming months. The WHO representative for North Kivu expressed particular concern over the potential for a significant outbreak in the province due to conditions marked by displacement and humanitarian crises, exacerbated by ongoing armed conflict.
Mpox, commonly referred to as monkeypox, has been a growing concern in Africa, particularly due to the alarming rise in cases and deaths reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In 2022, the mpox virus prompted a global outbreak, with wealthier nations responding swiftly with vaccine deployment, leaving African nations struggling to secure adequate supplies to combat the virus. In the current landscape, Congo’s health systems are notably overwhelmed, with significant risks linked to ongoing armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, emphasizing the urgency of vaccination and public health interventions.
The commencement of mpox vaccinations in Congo signifies a critical step towards controlling a severe outbreak that has placed immense strain on health services and resulted in thousands of cases and deaths. This vaccination initiative, aimed at targeting adults and front-line workers, is essential in curbing the virus’s spread throughout the nation. However, ongoing challenges concerning vaccine access and broader public health measures remain paramount as health authorities strive to manage the crisis effectively.
Original Source: apnews.com
