The Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently facing a significant challenge with a mpox outbreak, with about 80% of laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths reported in the African region this year. While mpox is typically transmitted through close physical contact, it can affect anyone, with vulnerable populations at a higher risk of infection and severe illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is actively collaborating with national health authorities to implement targeted interventions aimed at protecting vulnerable populations. These interventions include training health workers, supporting disease surveillance and contact tracing, delivering tailored risk communication and community engagement, providing medical supplies and case management, as well as enhancing vaccine delivery systems and infrastructure.
One of the most vulnerable groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo includes the 7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and over half a million refugees and asylum seekers, many of whom reside in camps with limited access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and healthcare. The detection of mpox cases in these settlements is concerning due to the high population density that can accelerate the spread of the virus.
As the country grapples with multiple crises including conflict and malnutrition, integrating public health measures into broader humanitarian efforts remains a top priority. WHO is collaborating with partners such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Alima, International Organization for Migration (IOM), and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to ensure that essential healthcare services continue within refugee and IDP camps.
Efforts are also being made to limit the cross-border spread of mpox and protect communities in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries. Through a combination of WHO’s technical expertise and IOM’s proficiency in border control, measures are being put in place to prevent the spread of the virus.
In response to the outbreak, WHO has established permanent health centers in North Kivu capable of treating up to 2000 people per week, near IDP camps. Similar initiatives have been launched in South Kivu, with over 1800 people vaccinated in IDP camps across the country. Additionally, WHO is providing support to the National Fight Against HIV/AIDS Programme to assist vulnerable groups such as sex workers, who are also at risk of mpox infection.
The National HIV/AIDS Control Programme in North and South Kivu has trained leaders from at-risk groups to become mpox peer educators, reaching a significant number of individuals with crucial information on prevention and the benefits of mpox vaccination. This comprehensive approach aims to protect not only the vulnerable populations but also their communities.
By involving trusted community leaders in the outreach efforts, WHO is able to effectively raise awareness and provide essential information on mpox prevention and vaccination. These collaborative efforts are crucial in combating the mpox outbreak and safeguarding the health of vulnerable populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This article was distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
