1,090 cases of monkeypox were recorded in Tshopo province in northeastern DRC between January and August 2024, according to the provincial health division. The Yakusu health zone in Isangi territory alone recorded 178 cases.
According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is supporting the Ministry of Health, “overall, in the Tshopo province, monkeypox is becoming a worrying situation.” Boubacar Mbalo, MSF emergency project coordinator, said during a press conference on Thursday, September 5, that the Yakusu health zone is a priority for treating monkeypox.
In the provincial division of Tshopo, the head of the epidemiological surveillance service reports a lethality rate of 3.9% while the national average is 2.9%. Mbalo of MSF is not surprised by this rate because “the epidemic has been in the province for a year”. These statistics place Tshopo in the top 5 provinces most affected by this zoonosis.
In total, the 23 health zones of Tshopo have reported 42 deaths, reports the provincial division of Tshopo at the 35th epidemiological week. The central prison of Kisangani has not recorded any cases of death but several positive cases are listed.
/acturdc.com
2024-09-09 08:01:29
#Mpox #Alarming #figures #Isangi #province #Tshopo
Mpox Congo 2024
Table of Contents
Monkeypox Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Growing Concern
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently facing a significant outbreak of monkeypox, a disease caused by an Orthopoxvirus that was first detected in humans in 1970 in the DRC [[1]]. The disease is considered endemic to countries in central and western Africa, and the current outbreak is causing concern among health officials and organizations.
Rise in Cases in Tshopo Province
According to recent reports, 1,090 cases of monkeypox were recorded in Tshopo province in northeastern DRC between January and August 2024 [[text]]. The Yakusu health zone in Isangi territory alone recorded 178 cases, indicating a high concentration of infections in this area. The situation has been described as “worrying” by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is supporting the Ministry of Health in responding to the outbreak [[text]].
Lethality Rate Higher than National Average
The provincial division of Tshopo has reported a lethality rate of 3.9%, which is higher than the national average of 2.9% [[text]]. This is a cause for concern, as it suggests that the outbreak in Tshopo province may be more severe than in other areas of the country. The high lethality rate is not surprising to MSF officials, who note that the epidemic has been present in the province for some time [[text]].
New Strain of Monkeypox Virus
Recent reports suggest that a new strain of the monkeypox virus is circulating in the DRC, which is deadlier than the one that sparked the global outbreak in 2022 [[2]]. This new strain has been described as “the most dangerous yet” by health officials, who are working to contain its spread [[3]]. The emergence of this new strain adds to the complexity of the outbreak response, as it may require different approaches to treatment and prevention.
Global Response
In response to the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern [[1]]. This declaration emphasizes the need for a coordinated international response to the outbreak, as well as increased support for affected countries like the DRC.
Conclusion
The monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a growing concern that requires a rapid and coordinated response. The high number of cases in Tshopo province, combined with the emergence of a new and deadlier strain of the virus, underscores the need for continued support and resources to combat this outbreak. As the situation evolves, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments and to follow the guidance of public health officials to prevent the spread of the disease.
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Mpox outbreak 2024
Monkeypox Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Growing Concern
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently facing a significant outbreak of monkeypox, a disease caused by an Orthopoxvirus that was first detected in humans in 1970 in the DRC [[1]]. The disease is considered endemic to countries in central and western Africa, and the current outbreak is causing concern among health officials and organizations.
Rise in Cases in Tshopo Province
According to recent reports, 1,090 cases of monkeypox were recorded in Tshopo province in northeastern DRC between January and August 2024 [[text]]. The Yakusu health zone in Isangi territory alone recorded 178 cases, indicating a high concentration of infections in this area. The situation has been described as “worrying” by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is supporting the Ministry of Health in responding to the outbreak [[text]].
Lethality Rate Higher than National Average
The provincial division of Tshopo has reported a lethality rate of 3.9%, which is higher than the national average of 2.9% [[text]]. This is a cause for concern, as it suggests that the outbreak in Tshopo province may be more severe than in other areas of the country. The high lethality rate is not surprising to MSF officials, who note that the epidemic has been present in the province for some time [[text]].
New Strain of Monkeypox Virus
Recent reports suggest that a new strain of the monkeypox virus is circulating in the DRC, which is deadlier than the one that sparked the global outbreak in 2022 [[2]]. This new strain has been described as “the most dangerous yet” by health officials, who are working to contain its spread [[3]]. The emergence of this new strain adds to the complexity of the outbreak response, as it may require different approaches to treatment and prevention.
Global Response
In response to the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern [[1]]. This declaration emphasizes the need for a coordinated international response to the outbreak, as well as increased support for affected countries like the DRC.
Conclusion
The monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a growing concern that requires a rapid and coordinated response. The high number of cases in Tshopo province, combined with the emergence of a new and deadlier strain of the virus, underscores the need for continued support and resources to combat this outbreak. As the situation evolves, it is essential to stay informed about the latest developments and to follow the guidance of public health