In the past month, over 500 mpox patients have abandoned clinics in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) due to escalating conflict. Officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have expressed grave concerns regarding these missing patients, as their absence poses a significant risk of spreading this highly contagious disease. The mpox outbreak is particularly alarming, with estimates suggesting it claimed the lives of around 900 individuals in DR Congo last year.
The fleeing patients originated from health facilities in Goma and Bukavu, two cities that have descended into chaos following the recent takeover by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Dr. Samuel Muhindo, who oversees a clinic in Goma, recounted the dire situation, stating, “We were looted. We lost equipment. It was a disaster.” The impact of violence on healthcare infrastructure has severely hampered efforts to contain the mpox outbreak.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, manifests with various symptoms, including painful lesions, headaches, and fever. According to the Africa CDC, nearly 2,890 mpox cases and 180 deaths have been documented in DR Congo since the beginning of the year, highlighting the country's ongoing struggle with multiple outbreaks.
Dr. Muhindo reported that at Goma's Mugunga health center, approximately 128 patients fled amid the fighting at the end of January. The clinic's records were destroyed, making it impossible for health workers to trace the missing individuals. Similarly, at Bisengimana hospital, looters stole medicines and personal protective equipment, leaving patients' medical records scattered across the facility. Fires were also ignited outside the center, exacerbating the already critical situation.
The conflict has intensified as the M23 rebels ordered the closure of various camps in Goma housing tens of thousands of displaced individuals. With a mere 72 hours to vacate, many of these people are now returning to areas at risk of mpox outbreaks. Dr. Muhindo voiced his concerns, stating, “Now we are afraid of an outbreak of the epidemic in the areas where the displaced people returned to.” The Africa CDC echoes this concern, calling for a ceasefire and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor to ensure ongoing mpox interventions.
In the last week, the number of missing mpox patients has surged by 100 as fighting escalates and rebels capture additional territory. Furthermore, a new variant of mpox with heightened transmissibility has been identified in DR Congo. The ongoing conflict between the M23 and the DR Congo army, compounded by insufficient funding, has significantly hindered the country's ability to respond effectively to the disease.
Despite the reopening of the mpox facility at Mugunga, which is funded by the UN children's agency (Unicef) and UK Aid Direct, the center is struggling to cope with demand. Reports indicate that at times, four or five patients must share a single bed, underscoring the dire circumstances faced by healthcare providers. Sadiki Bichichi Aristide, a 23-year-old patient receiving treatment at Mugunga, shared his harrowing experience: “I began to fall sick in a camp for displaced people. It started with my fingers, and then I had lesions, which began to rupture on my hands.”
Dr. Oummani Rouafi, a health specialist with Unicef in Goma, noted that the only reason Mugunga hospital reopened was due to staff successfully hiding some medical equipment and supplies from looters. Unfortunately, many other treatment centers have been completely ransacked, further complicating efforts to manage the mpox outbreak in the region.
As the situation continues to develop, the health and safety of both displaced individuals and the broader population remain at significant risk due to the ongoing mpox outbreak in eastern DR Congo.
