The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with a severe monkeypox outbreak, which has claimed at least 610 lives, according to Health Minister Roger Kamba.
In response to the crisis, Kamba has called on the public to adhere to protective measures and to seek vaccination as soon as doses become available, emphasizing the need for vigilance with the new school year approaching in early September.
The outbreak has seen 17,801 suspected cases reported so far, with the majority emerging from conflict-ridden provinces that house the nation’s 7.3 million internally displaced individuals.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed concern that the ongoing violence and displacement are exacerbating an already dire situation.
On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled a Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan aimed at curbing the spread of monkeypox, also known as mpox.
This plan seeks to halt human-to-human transmission through a coordinated global effort.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus affirmed that concerted action can manage and stop the mpox outbreaks in the DRC and neighboring countries.
As the situation unfolds, international and local health agencies are mobilizing resources to address the outbreak and mitigate its impact on the affected populations.
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