- Congo faces over 21,000 mpox cases, with a more infectious strain emerging.
- The new strain spreads skin-to-skin and has moved into conflict-ridden provinces.
- WHO declares mpox a global health emergency amid rising deaths and health challenges.
A newly detected strain of mpox in Congo has raised alarm due to its potential for easier transmission, particularly through skin-to-skin contact.
This strain has emerged in the eastern province of South Kivu, a region already burdened by violence and poor healthcare infrastructure. The WHO has reported over 21,000 cases in Congo, contributing to the continent’s 25,093 cases this year.
Mpox Outbreak in Congo Worsens as New Strain Emerges
This outbreak poses significant public health challenges, particularly in North and South Kivu, where the virus has rapidly spread. The high death toll—over 720 people—has added urgency to international response efforts, as Congo’s ongoing humanitarian crisis further hampers containment and treatment efforts.
This newly detected strain is particularly concerning due to its transmission method—primarily through skin-to-skin contact—making it difficult to contain in densely populated and crisis-stricken areas. In these provinces, where healthcare access is limited, the rapid spread of the virus has become a serious public health issue.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency, signaling the urgent need for resources to manage the outbreak. The WHO has documented more than 21,000 cases in Congo, and the outbreak is responsible for over 720 deaths across Africa, most of them in Congo.
Despite being endemic in Congo for decades, mpox outbreaks have worsened due to ongoing instability and limited healthcare access in affected regions. The emergence of the new strain has exacerbated an already volatile situation, necessitating swift international intervention to support local healthcare systems.
The rapid spread of this new mpox strain in Congo calls for immediate international collaboration to address both the public health crisis and the underlying humanitarian issues, ensuring both containment of the virus and the provision of critical healthcare services.
“The time to act is now—global cooperation is essential to stem the tide of mpox and prevent further loss of life in already vulnerable regions.” — WHO Director-General
