WHO expresses deep worries over Mpox outbreak in DRC

The World Health Organization has expressed deep worries over the spread of a severe form of mpox, formerly called Monkeypox, that has killed nearly 600 people, largely children, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The DRC has reported over 13,000 cases in 2023, more than twice as many as during the last peak in 2020, with the disease identified in nearly every province.

The UN health agency said it is working with the authorities on the response and a risk assessment to decide on its next line of action.

The WHO also said evidence that the current strain can spread through sexual contact is concerning.

Children and people with weak immune systems are more at risk, with illness leading to death.

Earlier on Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert about the dangerous clade I mpox outbreak, which has 10 percent fatality rate.

Rosamund Lewis, WHO’s mpox lead in the DRC,  told Reuters by phone from Kinshasa that getting the vaccine to tackle the outbreak is more complex, stressing that only one region of the WHO has a supply agreement in place.

She stressed that the WHO is working to procure or accept donations of mpox vaccines, currently only available in the country in ongoing clinical studies.