2024-11-03 06:08:00
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Monkeypox cases in Congo may be “stabilizing,” some health officials say, possibly indicating that a major epidemic that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global emergency last August may be declining.
Congo has reported 200 to 300 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox in recent weeks, compared with about 400 weekly infections in July, according to the World Health Organization. The decline is also evident in Kamituga, a mining town in the east of the country where the latest contagious variant of the disease has emerged.
But the agency acknowledged on Friday that only 40% to 50% of people suspected of being infected in Congo have been tested and that the virus continues to spread in parts of the country and elsewhere, including Uganda.
While falling infections in parts of Congo are a boon to doctors, it’s unclear what type of physical contact caused the outbreak. Health experts have also expressed frustration at the small number of vaccines the Central African country has received – 265,000 doses – underscoring the difficulties of getting vaccines to where they are most needed across the country’s vast territory. According to World Health Organization estimates, about 50,000 of Congo’s 110 million residents have been vaccinated.
Scientists also say a wider vaccination campaign across the continent is urgently needed to end the spread of monkeypox and prevent genetic mutations such as the one discovered in Congo earlier this year after months of low-level circulation.
“If we miss this opportunity, the likelihood of another large-scale outbreak will be greatly increased,” said Dr. Zachary Risa, director of operations at the Congolese charity Alima.
Africa has recorded nearly 43,000 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths so far this year, mostly in Congo.
“We have seen that previous outbreaks, such as the 2017 outbreak in Nigeria, could lead to larger global events if not effectively contained,” he said. The 2017 outbreak led to a global monkeypox outbreak in 2022, Affected more than 100 countries.
Rizal said the decline in cases in Kamituga is an opportunity to implement more vaccination, surveillance and education programs.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates Congo needs at least 3 million doses of vaccine to stop the virus, with another 7 million needed in the rest of Africa. WHO and partners have so far allocated 900,000 doses of vaccine to nine African countries affected by monkeypox, with plans to deliver around 6 million doses by the end of the year.
Monkeypox outbreaks in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda originated in the Congo. Several cases have also been detected among travelers from Sweden, Thailand, Germany, India and the United Kingdom.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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**Interview with Dr. Sarah Kamanzi, Epidemiologist and Public Health Expert**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Kamanzi. Thank you for joining us today. We’ve been hearing some hopeful news about monkeypox cases in Congo stabilizing. Can you explain what this means for the region?
**Dr. Kamanzi:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. Yes, the stabilization of monkeypox cases in Congo is indeed encouraging. Although we still see around 200 to 300 confirmed cases per week, this is a notable drop from the approximately 400 cases reported earlier this summer. It suggests that our public health interventions may be having an impact.
**Interviewer:** That’s promising news, but the World Health Organization mentioned that only 40% to 50% of suspected cases are being tested. What challenges does this pose to managing the outbreak?
**Dr. Kamanzi:** That’s a significant challenge. Low testing rates mean we might be missing a large number of cases, which can contribute to ongoing transmission. In remote areas, limited access to health facilities and resources makes it difficult for individuals to get tested. Without accurate data, our understanding of the outbreak’s scope is hindered, complicating our response efforts.
**Interviewer:** Vaccination appears to be a critical tool in combating monkeypox. Can you tell us about Congo’s vaccination efforts and the hurdles they are facing?
**Dr. Kamanzi:** Absolutely. Congo has received about 265,000 vaccine doses, which, while a good start, is far from sufficient given the large population and the scale of the outbreak. The country’s vast geography and logistics issues severely impact vaccine distribution. Many remote areas remain underserved, which hinders our ability to contain the virus effectively.
**Interviewer:** With the situation being as complex as it is, what can the international community do to help Congo and similar countries?
**Dr. Kamanzi:** International support is crucial. This can include increasing vaccine supply, improving healthcare infrastructure, and providing technical support to enhance testing and treatment capabilities. Collaborating with local organizations can also aid in mobilizing resources and ensuring that vaccines reach those who need them most.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Kamanzi, for your insights. It sounds like while there is some good news, challenges still remain in controlling monkeypox in Congo.
**Dr. Kamanzi:** Yes, it is indeed a mixed picture. Continued vigilance and support are essential to manage and eventually overcome this outbreak. Thank you for having me.