The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing a significant outbreak of mpox, with the disease spreading to previously unaffected regions.
The government of Congo has not requested to purchase or receive donations of mpox vaccines or treatments, and there are regulatory barriers preventing their clearance.
This outbreak marks the first confirmed cases of sexually transmitted mpox.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently grappling with a significant outbreak of mpox, a disease that has spread to regions previously unaffected, including the capital city of Kinshasa. This outbreak is notable as it marks the first confirmed cases of sexually transmitted mpox. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has assessed the risk associated with this ongoing epidemic and determined that the likelihood of infection for the general population in the European Union (EU) is very low. However, the situation in the DRC poses a significant risk of international outbreaks.
Despite the severity of the situation, the response has been hindered by several factors. The government of Congo has not requested to purchase or receive donations of mpox vaccines or treatments, and there are regulatory barriers preventing their clearance. This lack of urgency in addressing the issue is seen as a failure to learn from the unequal access to COVID-19 vaccines. Wealthy nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) have small stockpiles of mpox vaccines and treatments, but applications are required from countries in need.
The outbreak has also raised concerns about health equity and the availability of vaccines in Africa. The unequal access to vaccines, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, is highlighted. Efforts are being made to donate doses of the mpox vaccine and obtain emergency use authorizations for treatment, but progress is slow. The situation is further complicated by the stigma and regulatory barriers associated with the disease.
Public health authorities are advised to increase awareness among clinicians about mpox and continue contact tracing, testing, and sequencing of samples from detected cases. A joint mission by the Ministry of Health and WHO is currently assessing the situation in the DRC.
The article raises questions about health equity, the availability of vaccines in Africa, and the potential impact of homophobia and stigma on efforts to contain sexual transmission of the virus.
The article warns against drawing simplistic comparisons between Africa and the West when it comes to bigotry and highlights the ongoing challenges of homophobia and stigma in the United States.
The mpox outbreak in the United States is no longer at its peak but still sees sporadic cases.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has assessed the risk associated with the ongoing mpox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
They have determined that the likelihood of infection for the general population in the European Union (EU) is very low, and the impact of such an infection is assessed as low.
Public health authorities are advised to increase awareness among clinicians about mpox and continue contact tracing, testing, and sequencing of samples from detected cases.
The death rate in Congo is far higher than the global outbreak, but the government has not requested to buy or receive donations of treatments or vaccines.
The lack of urgency in addressing this issue is seen as a failure to learn from the unequal access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Wealthy nations and the WHO have small stockpiles of mpox vaccines and treatments, but applications are required from countries in need.
The government of Congo has not requested to purchase or receive donations of mpox vaccines or treatments, and there are regulatory barriers preventing their clearance.
The unequal access to vaccines is highlighted, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Efforts are being made to donate doses of the mpox vaccine and obtain emergency use authorizations for treatment, but progress is slow.