The ongoing Mpox outbreak, classified as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, is currently impacting children predominantly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since the beginning of this year, nearly all reported cases and over 450 fatalities are connected to the country.
Alain Matabaro shared the experience of his six-year-old son, Amani, whose symptoms began with a small irritated area. After being squeezed, liquid discharged, followed by the appearance of additional spots that quickly spread. Amani began to show signs of improvement after four days of treatment at a clinic in Munigi, near the significant eastern city of Goma.
Dr. Pierre-Olivier Ngadjole, affiliated with the charity Medair, reported that roughly 75% of the cases treated there involve children under ten years old. The outbreak poses a greater risk to young children as they have developing immune systems.
Dr. Ngadjole attributes the spread to overcrowded conditions in a nearby camp housing locals displaced by violence. He noted that children often play closely together without regard for social distancing. Additionally, many sleep in the same bed, leading to increased transmission risks, with several children huddled together.
Since June, the Munigi clinic has treated 310 Mpox cases, providing free services including medications for skin infections, safe drinking water, and paracetamol. The clinic currently sees five to ten new patients daily. Notably, there have been no reported deaths from the illness in this clinic, which Dr. Ngadjole credits to patients receiving timely medical care.
He emphasized the importance of offering free health services in emergencies to ensure people seek treatment without financial concerns. In contrast, a hospital in Kavumu, located 80 kilometers southwest of Munigi, has witnessed a different scenario. It has seen 800 patients, all under five years old, since June, and eight of these have died.
Two-year-old Ansima Kanigo contracted Mpox from one of her four siblings who were also affected. Her mother, 35-year-old Nzigire Kanigo, initially misidentified the illness, believing it to be measles. After unsuccessful home treatment, they sought help at the hospital. She expressed gratitude for the physician’s timely assistance, as three of her children are now back home.
Dr. Robert Musole, the medical director at the hospital, warned that the outbreak should not be underestimated. He noted the facility is overwhelmed with a high patient influx, facing challenges in accommodating new patients and a lack of available medications.
The region is home to many individuals who have fled their homes due to various rebel activities, living in overcrowded camps with inadequate sanitation—conditions that favor the spread of Mpox.