In brief
The Democratic Republic of Congo is witnessing a drop in mpox infections following the introduction of a vaccination program. Medical staff at the Lwiro clinic report only two to three new cases daily, a significant reduction from past months. However, public health officials urge caution in declaring the outbreak over, as infections continue in other regions of Africa.
In the heart of the mpox outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, health officials report a noteworthy decline in new infections since the commencement of vaccination efforts last month. Nurse Jackson Murhula and his team at the Lwiro clinic, located approximately an hour from Bukavu, indicated that they are currently only seeing two to three cases each day, down from the previously overwhelming numbers.The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed to the BBC that mpox cases are "plateauing" in DR Congo, but emphasized that the long-term impact of the vaccination campaign is yet unclear. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has claimed the lives of roughly 900 people in the nation this year alone.As health officials convene to discuss the future classification of this outbreak, 19 African nations continue to report ongoing mpox cases. During a September visit by the BBC, Lwiro clinic faced severe patient overflow, but recent observations reflect a calmer environment with empty beds appearing in wards.In October, DR Congo initiated its mpox vaccination campaign after receiving 265,000 doses from international donors. More than 50,000 individuals have since been vaccinated, focusing on high-risk populations. However, concerns remain about the disproportionate impact on children, who have so far not been included in vaccine programs, although a new vaccine is expected to be authorized for them soon.While some healthcare workers express optimism about the situation, they also stress caution, asserting that the disease remains present in the community. Dr. Samuel Boland from WHO cautioned that while DR Congo may have shown signs of improvement, the global status of mpox remains serious, with over 90% of worldwide mpox fatalities concentrated within its borders.Other vaccinations have begun in nearby countries, with experts hoping for a decrease in cases as efforts continue. However, the situation is still fluid, and officials remain vigilant as they analyze data to determine the direction of the outbreak in the coming months.
