Congo finds itself grappling with its most significant mpox outbreak yet, as scientists warn of a newly identified variant of the disease detected in a mining town, raising concerns about heightened transmission among humans. The evolving situation has prompted urgent responses from health authorities to contain the spread of the virus.
In Kamituga, located in eastern Congo, an analysis of hospitalized patients between October and January has revealed alarming genetic mutations in mpox, suggesting its adaptation to continued transmission among humans. This discovery is particularly alarming as Kamituga residents have limited contact with the wild animals traditionally associated with carrying the disease.
Dr. Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, the lead researcher overseeing the study, has characterized this development as a “new phase of mpox.” The findings, soon to be published in a scientific journal, originate from research conducted at Congo’s National Institute of Biomedical Research, specializing in disease genetics.
One notable aspect of the new strain is the manifestation of milder lesions, predominantly affecting the genital region, which poses challenges for accurate diagnosis. Previous outbreaks primarily exhibited lesions on the chest, hands, and feet. Additionally, Mbala-Kingebeni notes a potentially lower mortality rate associated with the new form of the disease.
As Congo intensifies its efforts to combat the escalating outbreak, health officials are mobilizing resources to implement robust containment measures and enhance surveillance systems to monitor the spread of the virus. The emergence of this new strain underscores the critical need for vigilance and collaborative action to mitigate the impact of the mpox outbreak on public health and safety.
