In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), children are suffering the most from the mpox outbreak, especially in overcrowded camps. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a global health emergency due to its rapid spread, and nearly all of this year’s cases are in DR Congo. Sadly, over 450 people have died from the virus, and many of them are children, as BBC has reported.
In one area, around 75% of mpox cases are in children under 10 years old. Dr. Pierre-Olivier Ngadjole, who works in one of the clinics, told BBC that children are more vulnerable because their immune systems are weaker. The close contact children have while playing and sharing beds in overcrowded camps also increases the spread of the virus.
Treatment centers are doing their best to help, providing free treatment, but challenges remain. In one hospital, eight children under the age of five have died from the virus. A mother shared her story with BBC about how all her children caught mpox, and although three have recovered, two are still in the hospital.
In these camps, living conditions are poor, and people fear the virus will continue to spread. Residents like Josephine Sirangunza and Bosco Sebuke have expressed concerns to BBC about the lack of basic protective measures, like soap and medicine, to help prevent further infections.
Vaccines may be on the way to DR Congo from the US and Japan, but for now, improving hygiene remains a crucial step in controlling the virus, as emphasized by health workers and locals interviewed by BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjwz77mmgmo