6,000 cases of mpox recorded since 2024

The province of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is considered the epicenter of the mpox epidemic, also known as monkeypox.

However, caring for those affected by the disease remains a challenge.

Almost 6,000 cases have been recorded since the beginning of the year, representing more than a quarter of the total number of infections recorded nationwide, according to authorities.

According to the World Health Organization, only around 40% of suspected cases of mpox have been tested in the DRC since the start of the year, which is low coverage due to a lack of laboratory tests.

Access to the vaccine is also complicated. According to local authorities, only 265,000 doses of vaccine have been shipped into the country to date.