The Democratic Republic of Congo receives first Mpox vaccines
September 5, 2024
The Africa CDC and UNICEF have delivered 99,100 doses of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the start of a crucial vaccination campaign. This initiative aims to combat the escalating mpox epidemic in the country, which has reported over 4,901 confirmed cases and 629 deaths since the beginning of 2024 – a significant increase from previous years.
Africa faces a resurgent mpox outbreak, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at its epicenter. This crisis, marked by the spread of the deadlier clade I subtype and rising pediatric cases, poses significant global health challenges.
The DRC alone reports over 27,000 suspected cases and 1,300 deaths, yielding a 5% fatality rate. This evolving outbreak, characterized by high mortality and changing patient demographics, challenges existing disease control strategies.
As healthcare professionals struggle to comprehend and manage this complex situation, the global health community must recognize the potential for wider impact. The outbreak underscores the need for international cooperation in disease surveillance, research, and resource allocation to prevent further spread.