MPOX TRACKER

The mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening amid a dangerous mix of escalating violence and an abrupt freeze on U.S. foreign aid, leaving global health experts deeply alarmed. Africa CDC Director Dr. Jean Kaseya warns that the crisis is nearing a breaking point, stating, "We are playing with fire."

The DRC has been the epicenter of the current mpox outbreak, with over 2,000 suspected cases reported weekly. However, surveillance has faltered following violent rebel takeovers in eastern DRC, forcing over 400 mpox patients to flee treatment centers in Goma. The destruction of healthcare facilities and looting of medical supplies have paralyzed the region’s ability to contain the virus, raising the risk of widespread community transmission.

The crisis deepened when the Trump administration froze nearly all U.S. foreign assistance, including critical mpox funding, and ordered the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This move not only halted the transfer of a promised 1 million vaccine doses but also cut off funding for essential services like diagnostic testing, treatment supplies, and safe transportation of samples to laboratories. A waiver issued for life-saving humanitarian efforts has done little to resume operations, with logistical hurdles leaving vaccines stuck in warehouses and lab testing at a standstill.

Anne Rimoin, an epidemiologist at UCLA who has worked in the DRC for decades, warns of "disastrous setbacks" for the fragile health system, which is also battling cholera, measles, and widespread malnutrition. Experts stress that the threat isn't confined to the DRC—uncontrolled outbreaks in conflict zones can fuel global health crises.

As displaced patients mingle with vulnerable communities and healthcare systems collapse, the world risks losing critical ground in the fight against mpox, underscoring the urgent need for renewed global cooperation and funding.