Goma Battles Rising Monkeypox Outbreak Amid Global Health Emergency

Goma Battles Rising Monkeypox Outbreak Amid Global Health Emergency

In Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, health teams are urgently working to identify and treat rising cases of monkeypox (mpox) as the city faces a growing outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared the mpox outbreaks in Congo and other parts of Africa a global emergency, noting that the virus has spread to children and adults in over a dozen countries. A new variant of the virus is also causing concern.

Earlier this week, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) announced that mpox outbreaks had become a public health emergency. The virus has claimed more than 500 lives, prompting calls for international assistance to contain its spread.

Dr. Rachel Maguru, a general practitioner at Goma Provincial Hospital and head of the Multi-Epidemic Center, reported that from Friday, August 9th, to today, there have been nine confirmed cases of mpox in the city. She explained that patients with suspicious lesions are first isolated and then tested for the virus. However, Dr. Maguru expressed concern that some people with symptoms might avoid seeking medical help to avoid being isolated, which could lead to further infections.

This year, scientists identified a new and deadlier form of mpox in a Congolese mining town, which they fear could spread more easily. Unlike previous strains, this new variant causes milder symptoms but includes lesions on the genitals, making it harder to detect. As a result, infected individuals might unknowingly spread the virus to others.

Professor Salim Abdool Karim, chair of the Emergency Consultative Group for Africa CDC, highlighted the growing number of cases and the higher-than-expected mortality rate. He noted that new countries, which had not reported cases in recent years, are now seeing infections, including the variant spreading in the DRC. The situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced global efforts to combat the outbreak.

Source: Africa News