Almost 130 mpox patients escaped from isolation centers in the DRC's North Kivu province, due to armed clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels, the country's Health Ministry reportedly said.
"As of January 24, 143 confirmed patients have been isolated in various mpox centers in three health zones, of which only 15 remain in isolation. 128 patients have escaped from the isolation centers," local media quoted the Congolese Health Ministry as saying in a report on the epidemiological situation in the North Kivu province.
According to the ministry, several mpox treatment centers have been completely looted.
Despite 67,759 vaccinations nationwide, the ongoing conflict and severely strained healthcare system pose a significant threat, reportedly prompting the DRC's Health Ministry to convene a crisis meeting to assess the epidemiological situation.
The escape, along with significant challenges provoked by the escalating conflict in the eastern DRC, including supply shortages, disrupted access to drinking water and electricity, and poor sanitation conditions, has drastically increased the risk of a major outbreak in the country, according to UNICEF.