Children Hit Hard by Growing Mpox Outbreak

Children hit hard by growing Mpox outbreak. Learn about the spread and its impact on young populations

Children in Eastern DR Congo Suffer Most as Mpox Outbreak Escalates

 

The current outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached critical levels, with children in the eastern region bearing the brunt of the crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern, as the DRC accounts for the majority of this year’s recorded cases and over 450 deaths.

 

The highly contagious virus has spread rapidly, affecting predominantly younger populations. According to Dr. Pierre-Olivier Ngadjole from the charity Medair, 75% of cases in the Munigi region involve children under the age of 10. This vulnerability is attributed to the children’s underdeveloped immune systems and the overcrowded conditions in the region’s displacement camps.

 

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is transmitted through close contact, which has made children especially susceptible as they often share living spaces and play together without concern for social distancing. Dr. Ngadjole notes that families frequently sleep in overcrowded conditions, further facilitating the spread of the virus.

 

Clinics in the region are struggling to keep up with the influx of patients. In Munigi, located near the city of Goma, the clinic has treated 310 cases since June and continues to see five to ten new patients daily. However, thanks to early medical interventions, no deaths have been reported in the area. Dr. Ngadjole credits free access to healthcare, including treatment for skin infections and the provision of safe drinking water, as crucial in preventing fatalities.

 

However, the situation is much more dire in other regions. In Kavumu, located 50 miles south-west of Munigi, the outbreak has claimed the lives of eight children under the age of five since June. The hospital is overwhelmed with 800 cases, highlighting the stark contrast between regions.

 

The overcrowding in the camps for internally displaced persons has made disease prevention difficult. With inadequate sanitation and close living quarters, the conditions are ripe for the rapid transmission of mpox. Health workers are conducting educational campaigns, but the fear among the population is palpable. Many, like Josephine Sirangunza and Bosco Sebuke, who live in the Mudja camp, express their concerns about the lack of basic resources such as medicine and soap to protect themselves.

 

The outbreak is driven by a new strain of mpox, Clade 1b, which has now spread to neighboring countries. The Congolese government hopes that vaccines from the US and Japan will soon arrive, though supplies are expected to be extremely limited.

 

Despite these challenges, there remains a glimmer of hope. Amani, a six-year-old boy who contracted the virus, is now recovering after receiving early treatment. His father, Alain Matabaro, is cautiously optimistic about the arrival of vaccines but acknowledges that improving hygiene and living conditions is equally critical in curbing the spread of the disease.

 

For now, the people of eastern DR Congo await further support, hoping that the international community will respond to their urgent needs for medical supplies, better sanitation, and protective measures.