Sarah Bagheni, a resident of the Bulengo displacement camp in eastern Congo, suffers from a headache, fever, and itchy skin lesions. Unbeknownst to her, these symptoms could be a sign of mpox, a disease that is silently spreading in the region. The World Health Organization declared mpox a global health emergency in July, citing the emergence of a new variant in eastern Congo. This new strain, potentially more infectious, has already spread beyond the five African countries where it was initially identified. However, many in Congo, where over 96% of the world’s mpox cases are reported, remain unaware of the disease and its potential dangers.
The conflict-torn eastern Congo is home to millions of displaced people who are out of reach of medical help and advice. Rebel groups have been fighting Congolese army forces for years, causing a massive displacement crisis and creating a breeding ground for disease outbreaks. In overcrowded refugee camps like Bulengo, conditions are dire, with limited medical facilities. Mahoro Faustin, the camp administrator, reports noticing an increase in fever, body aches, and chills, symptoms that could indicate malaria, measles, or mpox. The lack of testing and awareness campaigns in the camp leaves many people undiagnosed, posing a risk to the entire population.
Dr. Pierre Olivier Ngadjole, health advisor for the international aid group Medair, reveals that 70% of recent mpox cases in the Goma area originated from displacement camps. The youngest case reported was a month-old baby, and the oldest was a 90-year-old. The humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo has created a perfect storm for the spread of mpox. War, illicit mining industries, transient populations, and entrenched poverty create a challenging environment for disease control.
Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of Duke University’s Global Health Institute, emphasizes that the global community missed multiple warning signs of the mpox outbreak. While experts have been calling for vaccines to be shared with Africa since 2017, their calls have largely been ignored. The WHO’s emergency declaration, though finally made, came after more than a dozen countries had already been affected. Unlike COVID-19 or HIV, there are effective vaccines and treatments available for mpox, but access to these resources remains a major challenge, especially in places like eastern Congo.
The new mpox strain, first detected in eastern Congo in 2023, is contributing to the country’s worst outbreak yet. At least 13 African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported cases linked to Congo’s outbreak. Doctors Without Borders warns that Congo’s surge “threatens a major spread of the disease” to other countries. A concerning shift in the Congo outbreak is the disproportionate impact on young people. Children under 15 account for 70% of cases and 85% of deaths in the country, a stark contrast to the 2022 global outbreak that primarily affected gay and bisexual men. Mpox now appears to be spreading in heterosexual populations as well.
While all of Congo’s 26 provinces have reported mpox cases, the country lacks even a single vaccine dose. The health minister has urged vigilance and pleaded for international assistance. In Goma’s North Kivu provincial hospital, Dr. Rachel Maguru, head of the multi-epidemic center, highlights the lack of specific drugs or treatments for mpox and relies on other experts for support. The already overburdened health system faces a significant challenge in containing a potential outbreak in the city and its displacement camps. The influx of displaced people, coupled with their existing struggles to survive, further complicates the situation. Aid agencies and stretched local authorities are battling to provide food, shelter, and basic health care, while also dealing with outbreaks of other diseases like cholera.
The ongoing mpox outbreak in eastern Congo serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of populations affected by conflict and displacement. The lack of access to healthcare, coupled with a lack of awareness and resources, poses a serious threat to the region’s health and well-being. Addressing these issues is crucial to preventing further spread and protecting vulnerable communities from this silent danger.
