A crucial step in combating the global mpox outbreak is underway as the World Health Organization (WHO) prepares to deliver the first shipment of vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This comes in response to the alarming surge in cases, particularly of the new Clade 1b strain, which has spread to neighboring countries.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who recently returned from a visit to the DRC, announced the upcoming vaccine delivery during a press conference.
He expressed hope for the vaccines’ arrival within the next few days, followed by a steady increase in supply.
The DRC has been grappling with a significant number of mpox cases this year, with over 18,000 suspected infections and 629 deaths reported.
The eastern provinces of North and South Kivu have been particularly hard-hit by the Clade 1b strain, accounting for more than 5,000 cases and 31 deaths.
While the number of Clade 1b cases has been rising rapidly, Tedros noted that the number of reported deaths has remained relatively low in recent weeks.
Beyond the DRC, neighboring countries like Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, and Thailand have also reported cases of Clade 1b.