The ongoing Mpox outbreak, classified as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, is primarily impacting children in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This year, the nation has reported nearly all cases and over 450 related fatalities.
Alain Matabaro recalls the troubling symptoms of his six-year-old son, Amani, who initially had a small irritated spot that developed into multiple sores after being squeezed. After four days of treatment at a clinic in Munigi, close to Goma, Amani began to show signs of recovery.
According to Dr. Pierre-Olivier Ngadjole from the charity Medair, around 75% of the cases recorded there involve children under ten years old. The outbreak appears to be particularly severe among this demographic due to their underdeveloped immune systems.
Dr. Ngadjole suggests that overcrowding in nearby camps for people displaced by local violence contributes to the spread of the virus, as children often play in close proximity without regard for social distancing. He observed that it’s common for multiple children to share beds in households, further facilitating transmission.
Since June, the Munigi clinic has treated 310 cases of Mpox, providing free services that include paracetamol, clean drinking water, and medications for skin infections, averaging five to ten new admissions daily. Remarkably, there have been no deaths from the illness at this facility, which Dr. Ngadjole attributes to early treatment access.
In contrast, the situation at Kavumu hospital, located 80 kilometers southwest of Munigi, presents a more severe crisis. Since June, the hospital has recorded 800 patients, all under five years old, with eight fatalities.
Two-year-old Ansima Kanigo contracted Mpox from one of her four siblings. Initially, her mother, 35-year-old Nzigire Kanigo, was unsure of the illness’s nature and thought it might be measles. After ineffective home treatments, they decided to seek help.
Dr. Robert Musole, the medical director at Kavumu hospital, emphasizes that the outbreak should not be underestimated. He highlights the critical situation due to limited capacity and high demand, stating that the hospital is overwhelmed and struggling with medication shortages.
The ongoing conflict has led millions to flee their homes, forcing them into camps across eastern Congo. These overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions create a conducive environment for the spread of Mpox.