Monkeypox cases decline sharply in Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded a remarkable positive development in its battle against the monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, with the country’s National Institute of Public Health announcing a significant and sharp decrease in the number of new infections, indicating the success of the containment and surveillance strategies that were recently activated.
Promising figures and a decline in outbreak hotspots
According to official data from the institute, the weekly infection rate has seen a dramatic decline, dropping from around 2,000 cases per week at the peak of the outbreak to just between 250 and 300 currently. Elaborating on this health achievement, Christian Ngendo, coordinator of the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, explained that the map of the virus's spread has shrunk considerably. Whereas the epidemic covered 401 health districts at the beginning of the crisis, cases recorded during December were limited to only 19 health districts.
The health official noted that the current focus is on specific regions, where most active infections are concentrated in the North and South Kivu regions, in addition to some areas in Sankoro, which facilitates the process of directing medical resources and rapid intervention teams to finally contain the virus in those remaining pockets.
General context and global importance of the event
This announcement is of paramount importance given that the Democratic Republic of Congo is the epicenter of the virus's spread, specifically the new strain (Clade Ib) that has sparked global concern and prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency. The country has suffered for decades from being a reservoir for the virus, but this latest outbreak has been the most severe and fastest spreading, making its control a top priority for global health security.
Impact of health interventions and vaccines
This partial success is attributed to the combined efforts of local and international stakeholders, including improved epidemiological surveillance systems, community awareness campaigns, and the launch of vaccination campaigns targeting the most vulnerable groups and healthcare workers. The decline in cases in conflict zones such as North and South Kivu is a significant logistical achievement, given the security challenges that often impede access to medical services.
Despite these encouraging figures, experts stress the need to remain vigilant to ensure that no rebound waves occur, especially in border areas that witness heavy traffic, in order to protect neighboring countries and prevent the re-export of the epidemic.
