Medical Teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo Struggle to Contain Mpox

Medical Teams in the Democratic Republic of Congo Struggle to Contain Mpox Amid Vaccine Delays

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Healthcare workers on the front lines of the mpox outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are urgently requesting vaccines to combat the rising number of infections. In South Kivu province, at the heart of the outbreak, medical staff are facing increasing challenges as new patients—many of them infants—arrive daily at the treatment centers. Despite the recent arrival of 200,000 vaccines in the capital, Kinshasa, logistical issues have delayed their delivery to the most affected areas, leaving vulnerable communities without critical protection.

The mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, is a highly infectious disease that has already claimed at least 635 lives in the DRC this year. Healthcare workers, such as nurse Emmanuel Fikiri, are working tirelessly in improvised facilities, but the fear of contracting the disease and spreading it to their families looms large. Fikiri expressed his concerns about the lack of vaccines and the constant risk they face due to inadequate protective gear.

Transporting the vaccines to remote areas like Kamituga, Kavumu, and Lwiro is a complex task. The vaccines must be kept at specific temperatures, making storage and transportation even more difficult. The region’s poor infrastructure, compounded by ongoing armed conflict, further complicates efforts to reach the rural areas where the virus is rampant.

Dr. Pacifique Karanzo, a fatigued and overworked physician at Lwiro hospital, described the dire conditions faced by both patients and staff. Many patients, including children, are forced to share beds or sleep on the floor due to overcrowding. Basic supplies like clean water are running low, which has led to rationing and heightened concerns about hygiene. The clinic, which normally treats about 80 patients per month, has been overwhelmed with nearly 200 patients in the last few weeks, most of them infants.

One of the youngest patients, four-week-old Murhula, is battling mpox alongside others in the overcrowded hospital. For many, this is their first encounter with the virus, which can cause severe symptoms such as fever, pus-filled lesions, and significant weight loss. The demand for vaccines is growing as people witness the devastating effects of the disease, and even areas that previously resisted vaccinations are now eager for their arrival.

However, the country’s ongoing conflict with rebel groups, particularly the M23, is threatening the already difficult vaccination rollout. The fighting has displaced many people, exacerbating the spread of the virus and stretching healthcare resources thin. South Kivu’s governor, Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, acknowledged that the conflict is diverting funds from social and healthcare services to military efforts, but he remains hopeful that the vaccines will soon reach the affected regions. The government aims to begin vaccinations in October, prioritizing children and those in close contact with infected individuals.

Despite the daunting circumstances, local authorities are determined to control the outbreak, but exhausted medical staff remain wary of how long they can continue under such pressure. Speed is crucial to halting the spread of the disease, and a coordinated effort involving vaccines, medical supplies, and improved hygiene is desperately needed to contain the epidemic.