UN Warns of Mpox Outbreak in Congo Refugee Camps

Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a WHO committee chair, has expressed serious concerns about Africa's preparedness for the evolving mpox virus, particularly the newly identified clade Ib strain, which poses significant risks due to its rapid mutations and unclear transmission dynamics. The WHO has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, with reports of over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this year. In DRC's refugee camps, where conditions are cramped and populations are immunocompromised, at least 42 suspected cases have emerged, exacerbated by the inability to implement effective isolation measures. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that without urgent support, the outbreak could have devastating effects on displaced communities in DRC and surrounding areas. Vaccines are in short supply across Africa, complicating containment efforts, as experts fear the new strain could be more contagious than previous variants. The situation highlights the urgent need for better resources and a clearer understanding of the virus to effectively combat its spread.