DR Congo

Goma, long plagued by conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is now at the center of a severe mpox outbreak, formerly known as monkeypox. The Nyiragongo General Hospital, located on the outskirts of Goma, is seeing a surge in mpox cases. The current variant is particularly concerning, with increased severity compared to earlier strains. Patient Nyota Mukobelwa recounted her experience after being transported to the hospital by a Doctors Without Borders vehicle. She initially experienced headaches, fever, muscle pain, and groin discomfort, which were followed by lesions, leading her to suspect an infection. Doctors and nurses report that most patients are children. Dr. Pierre Olivier Ngadjole from MEDAIR DRC, which operates the mpox treatment site, noted that 75% of the patients are children under ten, with 70% coming from internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Nurse Trésor Basubi expressed concern over the rising number of admissions. The ongoing conflict around Goma has led to an influx of displaced people seeking refuge in the city’s camps. In 2022, mpox outbreaks were reported in over 70 countries, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a global emergency. While vaccines and treatments helped control the outbreaks in wealthy nations, access remained limited in Africa. This year, a new, potentially more infectious form of mpox has been identified in a mining town about 270 kilometers south of Goma. At least 13 African countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, have reported new cases, often linked to the outbreak in Congo. Furaha Elisabeth visited the clinic for her child’s treatment, expressing her fear and anxiety after seeing distressing images of the disease. “I am scared and so worried,” she said.