Mpox Spread Plateaus in Congo's South Kivu Amid Global Concerns

The World Health Organization reports that mpox cases are plateauing in Congo's South Kivu region, despite rising numbers in the rest of the country, Burundi, and Uganda. With fewer than 100 confirmed cases in Congo last week, stabilization efforts are underway, but testing remains inadequate.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that mpox cases are stabilizing in Congo's South Kivu region, where a more infectious variant was first detected. Despite this trend, the virus continues to rise in other Congolese regions, Burundi, and Uganda, presenting an ongoing public health challenge.

The more transmissible form of mpox, identified earlier this year among sex workers and miners in Kamituga, South Kivu, seems to have reached a plateau. However, the WHO warns that limited testing hinders a comprehensive understanding of the virus's spread, with fewer than 100 lab-confirmed cases in Congo last week.

While experts claim the situation offers a chance to tackle the outbreak effectively, WHO underscores that at least 3 million vaccines are necessary for extensive immunization. Meanwhile, cases continue to surge elsewhere: Burundi's weekly figures are above 200, primarily affecting children and young adults; Uganda records 100 new infections weekly, mainly spread through sexual contact among adults.

Previously known as monkeypox, mpox primarily spreads via close skin-to-skin contact with infected individuals. The WHO's declaration of mpox as a global health emergency in August underlines the seriousness of the threat, with Africa reporting 46,000 suspected cases and 1,081 deaths. An expert meeting will assess the continued status of mpox as an international emergency following the UK's identification of its spread beyond Africa.

(With inputs from agencies.)