The ongoing Mpox outbreak, declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization, is primarily impacting children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with nearly all reported cases this year and over 450 fatalities linked to the country.
Alain Matabaro described the experience of his six-year-old son Amani, whose initial skin irritation progressed quickly after he was squeezed. 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 estimates that around 75% of cases treated at the clinic involve children under ten, highlighting a severe impact on young individuals due to their developing immune systems. The high transmission rates among children are attributed to their close contact in crowded areas, particularly in camps for displaced individuals due to local violence. Dr. Ngadjole noted that children often disregard social distancing.
The Munigi clinic has managed to treat 310 Mpox cases since June, providing free care, including medications and safe drinking water. Currently, the facility admits five to ten new patients daily, and there have been no reported deaths, potentially due to early medical intervention.
Conversely, the situation is dire at a hospital in Kavumu, located 80 kilometers southwest of Munigi, where 800 patients, all under five, have been seen since June, resulting in eight fatalities.
Two-year-old Ansima Kanigo contracted the disease from one of her siblings. Her mother, 35-year-old Nzigire Kanigo, initially misidentified the illness as measles. After unsuccessful home treatments, the family sought medical help, leading to recovering siblings.
Dr. Robert Musole, medical director at the hospital, emphasized the critical nature of the outbreak, indicating that the facility is overwhelmed with patient demand and struggles with medication shortages.
Many individuals in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are living in cramped, unsanitary conditions in makeshift camps due to displacement from rebel activities, creating a conducive environment for the spread of Mpox.