DRC: proactive management of Mpox despite the absence of specific treatment

The Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Security, Samuel Roger Kamba Mulamba, provided an update on the development of the Mpox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a joint press conference with Patrick Muyaya, Minister of Communication and Media, this Thursday, August 15, 2024.

Equateur province remains the most affected, with more than 5,000 cases recorded. Other provinces, such as South Kivu, Sankuru, Tshopo, as well as North and South Ubangi, are also experiencing significant spread of the virus. “The hotspots are still hotspots. We are between 7 and 12 hotspots now,” said Minister Kamba Mulamba.

Faced with this situation, the government has deployed the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (CUSP), a permanent structure set up to respond quickly to health crises. “The COUSP is deployed immediately to ensure that there is a real public health phenomenon, assess its scale, and take contingency and management measures,” explained the minister.

Despite efforts, the treatment of Mpox remains a challenge due to the lack of specific drugs. “We tested a drug, particularly in Maniema and Sankuru with Professor Muyembe’s team, but the results showed that this drug is not effective,” he said. On the other hand, the improvement of general care, particularly through the use of antibiotics to prevent superinfections, nutritional support and hydration of patients, makes it possible to maintain a relatively low mortality rate, estimated at 3.6%.

Vaccination remains a crucial hope in the fight against Mpox. The minister stressed the importance of information, isolation of affected cases, and prevention to contain the epidemic. “We have already defined the vaccine needs in our strategic plan,” he said, while emphasizing the key role of the international community in providing the resources needed to acquire the required doses.

The DRC is continuing its efforts to control the epidemic, but the situation remains worrying, requiring continued mobilization of health authorities and the international community.