The mpox disease, which continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is not under control by health authorities, said Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
"The epidemic is not under control. Every week we register between 2,500 and 3,000 new cases, as well as at least 30 deaths. [...] We would like the media to continue [writing about the epidemic] and communities to be informed. We cannot allow people to think that they can live with the virus," he said in an interview with Jeune Afrique magazine.
According to him, the 1b variant of the virus "is currently the one that kills the most [people], affects the most children, and is transmitted sexually." Kaseya noted that the conflict with Rwanda in eastern DRC has made it difficult for local authorities to combat the disease.
"We cannot conduct vaccination campaigns or strengthen surveillance systems [for infected people] because of safety concerns," Kaseya was quoted as saying.
According to him, the Africa CDC has spent "more than a billion dollars" to combat the epidemic and has prepared about 6 million doses of vaccines. Kaseya added that the mpox vaccine is primarily given to infected people and those they have been in contact with, as well as people at risk, including health workers. The authorities are convincing the population to get vaccinated, saying that the drug is safe and is used in Europe and the United States.
He also expressed concern about the outbreak of Marburg fever, which could also spread to Africa if no action is taken.
"I am afraid that the epidemic will become regional if it is not contained quickly," Kaseya reportedly said. "The mortality rate from Marburg [fever] is very significant. We take this epidemic very seriously."
Marburg fever is notorious for its high mortality rate, reaching up to 88%. Symptoms often involve an intense headache, vomiting, muscle pain, and abdominal discomfort. The virus is initially transmitted from fruit bats to humans and then spreads via direct contact with the bodily fluids of those infected.