The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched its first vaccination campaign against mpox in the eastern city of Goma, targeting health workers and those with existing health issues. The campaign began with vaccines being administered to hospital staff, with a wider drive set to start on Monday in the east of the country where the outbreak originated. The DRC Ministry of Public Health has warned that the campaign will be limited due to a shortage of resources, with only 265,000 doses currently available. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba emphasized the importance of targeting priority groups to limit the spread of the virus. Additional doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive from France, Japan, and the United States.
The vaccination campaign comes in response to more than 30,000 suspected and confirmed cases of mpox and 900 deaths reported in the DRC since the start of 2024. The virus, which can be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals, causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency after the discovery of a new, more infectious variant in August. The virus has been detected in 16 African countries this year, prompting efforts to contain its spread and ensure the safety of communities.
In addition to the vaccination campaign, the WHO has approved a PCR test for detecting mpox by swabbing skin lesions, with 4,500 tests pledged for the DRC. The international response to the mpox outbreak underscores the collaborative efforts to address health crises in Africa and beyond.
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