Mpox Patients Fleeing Goma Hospitals In DRC Violence
February 14, 2025
The escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has forced 128 mpox patients to flee isolation units in Goma, raising urgent concerns about virus transmission amid violent unrest. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 1,348 mpox cases in the DRC this year, with the deadly clade 1b variant at the epicenter in Kivu. The conflict, driven by M23 rebels backed by Rwandan forces, has devastated health infrastructure, leaving displaced civilians without aid. With thousands in overcrowded shelters and humanitarian access severely restricted, the WHO and UNHCR are calling for immediate action to prevent further health crises.
The deepening crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is compounding an already devastating mpox outbreak, as violence forces hundreds of patients to flee treatment centers, exacerbating public health risks. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 128 out of 143 mpox patients in isolation units around Goma have escaped due to escalating violence between M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces, and the Congolese army. Only 15 patients remain in isolation, posing a significant threat of uncontrolled virus transmission.
The DRC remains the global epicenter of mpox, with 1,348 laboratory-confirmed cases this year alone, primarily driven by the virulent clade 1b variant. This strain, first identified in South Kivu in 2023, has since spread internationally. Mpox, a highly contagious disease transmitted through close physical contact, can cause severe symptoms and, in some cases, death.
The violent conflict has paralyzed healthcare operations, leading to the closure and looting of health facilities. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reports that more than 350,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are now without shelter after 70% of emergency housing around Goma and Minova was destroyed by shelling and looting. Displaced families are now crammed into overcrowded makeshift shelters, churches, and schools, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
The crisis has severely limited humanitarian access, hindering relief efforts and putting countless lives at risk. “We urge all parties to stop attacks on civilian infrastructure and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access,” stressed UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun.
The WHO has maintained its highest level of alert for mpox, declaring it a public health emergency of international concern. Without immediate intervention to restore healthcare services and ensure humanitarian aid, both the mpox outbreak and the humanitarian crisis risk spiraling further out of control.