The recent Mpox outbreak, classified as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, is predominantly impacting children in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This year alone, the country has reported nearly 450 deaths linked to the illness.
Alain Matabaro recounts the experience of his six-year-old son, Amani, who initially developed a small irritation. After a few days, it worsened, leading to multiple lesions spreading across his body. Fortunately, after four days of treatment at a clinic in Munigi, near Goma, Amani began to show signs of recovery.
Dr. Pierre-Olivier Ngadjole from the charity Medair reports that about 75% of the cases treated at the clinic involve children under ten years old. He notes that the Mpox virus poses a greater risk to younger children due to their undeveloped immune systems.
Dr. Ngadjole attributes part of the outbreak’s severity to overcrowded camps established for residents displaced by local violence, where children engage in close play and do not maintain social distancing. He observes that many children share beds, leading to consistent transmission of the virus.
Since June, the Munigi clinic has treated 310 Mpox cases, offering free healthcare services, including medications and safe drinking water. The clinic currently sees five to ten new patients daily but has not reported any fatalities, which Dr. Ngadjole attributes to early medical intervention.
In contrast, a hospital in Kavumu, located 80 kilometers southwest of Munigi, reports a more severe situation. In the same timeframe, 800 patients under five years old have been treated, with eight fatalities.
Two-year-old Ansima Kanigo contracted Mpox from one of her siblings. Initially, her mother, 35-year-old Nzigire Kanigo, was uncertain about the illness, mistaking it for measles. After failing to treat Ansima at home, she sought medical help. Now, three of her children are home after treatment, while two remain hospitalized.
Dr. Robert Musole, the medical director of the Kavumu hospital, emphasizes the critical nature of the outbreak, stating that the facility is overwhelmed and faces challenges in accommodating patients and obtaining necessary medications.
In eastern DRC, millions have been displaced due to conflict, residing in camps with inadequate sanitation and overcrowded conditions, creating a fertile environment for the spread of Mpox.