Healthcare in Crisis: DRC Battles Mpox, Cholera, and Measles in War Zone
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Six weeks after rebels supported by Rwanda seized control of two key cities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the region is struggling to control the mpox outbreak. The DRC remains the most affected by the virus, with its epicenter in the eastern region.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, as the conflict with M23 intensifies, over 600 mpox patients have left multiple hospitals. Last week alone, the country experienced a 31 percent increase in cases, bringing the total to nearly 16,255. Unfortunately, many patients cannot be traced, and the newly arrived vaccines are in limited supply due to the inability to deliver them to conflict zones. Hospitals are also coming under attack.
“The situation has been incredibly challenging. Insecurity has disrupted everything,” said Dr. Serge Munyahu Cikuru, the medical officer responsible for the Miti Murhesa health zone in South Kivu province. He explained that tracking patients to curb the spread of mpox has become increasingly difficult, and medical staff are running out of resources to optimize their limited supplies.
Reports indicate that officials are engaging in talks to end the violence and establish a humanitarian corridor to enable the delivery of critical medical supplies to affected areas. Last month, the World Health Organization issued a warning that the Clade 1b strain of the virus is continuing to spread worldwide.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact with infected individuals and can cause symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and skin lesions resembling boils. While the disease is often mild, it can have serious consequences. Meanwhile, the eastern regions of the country are also contending with outbreaks of other illnesses, including cholera and measles.
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