The Mysterious Struggle of Congo: Why mpox Remains Out of Control

Congo, a vast central African country, is struggling to contain outbreaks of mpox, a disease that has been endemic in the region for decades. The World Health Organization declared the outbreaks a global health emergency last month, and scientists have identified a new strain of mpox that may spread more easily. With over 21,000 confirmed and suspected cases, Congo is at the forefront of the outbreak. The problem is complex, with many factors contributing to the spread of the disease. Conflict and displacement have put pressure on health services, making it difficult to reach people who need treatment. Millions of people have fled violence and are living in crowded refugee camps or nearby towns, making it challenging to provide food, healthcare, and other basic necessities. Mpox, once known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease that can spread to humans from infected animals. It causes milder symptoms such as fever and skin lesions, but can be serious in people with weakened immune systems. In the global mpox outbreak of 2022, the virus spread primarily through sex and close physical contact. The situation in eastern Congo is particularly dire. More than 120 armed groups are fighting for control of minerals, forcing millions of people to flee into refugee camps or nearby towns. Health facilities are overstretched, with medical director Dr. Musole Mulambamunva Robert describing it as a "truly a challenge" to treat patients. Health workers are also struggling due to a lack of training and medication. Mercy Muthee Lake of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent said that health workers have requested more mpox training as medications to treat fever and ease pain run out. The solution is not just vaccines, but also identifying cases, isolating patients, and executing grassroots health and education campaigns. However, the key challenge is identifying cases among poor, displaced people who live in cramped conditions.