DR Congo Faces Worsening Mpox Epidemic Amid Conflict, New Variant Spreads

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a severe Mpox outbreak exacerbated by ongoing conflict, which has crippled the healthcare system. Local healthcare workers are struggling to treat patients amid shortages and violence, with cases of Mpox complicating existing health crises. In a related development, Brazil's Sao Paulo state has reported its first case of the clade Ib Mpox strain in a woman who had contact with a relative from the DRC, raising concerns about the virus's spread. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted that testing rates in the DRC are declining due to conflict and reduced funding, with significant underreporting of cases. As of 2024, Mpox has resulted in over 59,000 cases and 1,164 deaths across Africa. Efforts are underway to improve testing facilities in the DRC, but ongoing violence remains a major obstacle.