Congo’s Mpox Cases Show Signs of Stabilization Amid New Variant Threat

In a promising development in the ongoing struggle against mpox, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday that cases in South Kivu—where a more infectious variant was first detected—appear to be "plateauing." However, chances are slim for complete eradication as infections continue to rise in other regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as neighboring Burundi and Uganda.

A recent report from the U.N. health agency indicates that while the number of mpox infections across the country is trending upward, South Kivu—specifically the gold mining town of Kamituga—seems to be stabilizing after the alarming spread of the variant among high-risk groups such as sex workers and miners.

Despite this positive news, WHO experts caution that limited testing capabilities hinder a full understanding of the virus's transmission dynamics. As it stands, Congo has reported fewer than 100 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases, marking a significant decrease from nearly 400 in July. The stabilizing trend could provide an opportunity for health authorities to focus their efforts on completely quelling the outbreak.

Approximately 50,000 individuals in Congo have been vaccinated against mpox, but with estimates from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointing towards a need for 3 million doses to effectively halt the outbreak, the call for additional resources is becoming increasingly urgent. Jean Kaseya, MD, director of the Africa CDC, has emphasized that the continent remains in the "acute phase" of the mpox crisis, with 19 affected countries. He cautioned that without heightened support and resources, the situation could escalate into a global health threat.

The WHO report also highlights an alarming situation in Burundi, where the newer variant appears responsible for the spread of less severe symptoms. This lack of severity could allow infected individuals to unknowingly transmit the virus; in the past two weeks alone, Burundi has reported over 200 new cases weekly, predominantly among children and young adults.

Uganda is facing a similar threat, having reported 100 new mpox cases last week. The virus seems to be spreading primarily through sexual contact, affecting mostly adults.

Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is transmitted mainly through close skin-to-skin contact and can linger on soiled clothing or bedding. Characterized by visible skin lesions, the disease often causes individuals to avoid close interactions, which could inadvertently slow its transmission in other contexts.

In August, WHO classified the rapid spread of mpox across the African continent as a global health emergency. The continent has reported over 46,000 suspected mpox cases, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths. Experts will convene an important meeting on November 22 to reassess whether mpox still constitutes an international emergency, as the world watches closely for developments in this concerning health crisis.

This sudden shift in mpox dynamics warrants attention, as continued vigilance and support are crucial to manage the risks of the virus transforming into a more widespread global health issue.