Africa Democratic Republic of Congo receives first Mpox vaccine doses

The first, almost 100,000 doses of vaccine against the disease Mpox have arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This was announced by Health Minister Roger Kamba and the African health authority CDC Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the highest alert level in mid-August due to the Mpox outbreaks in Africa and the new, potentially more dangerous variant Ib. The number of cases is particularly high in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

More than 4,900 confirmed cases of the disease have occurred in the Central African country since the beginning of the year, with 629 people dying. This is the highest number of cases on the continent. It is unknown how many cases are not reported.

"These vaccines are critical to protecting our health care workers and vulnerable populations and to containing the spread of Mpox," said CDC Director Jean Kaseya. He announced the delivery of another 100,900 vaccine doses on Saturday. Kamba also spoke of an important step in the fight against Mpox. The disease is spreading primarily in the western Equator Province and in the eastern Congolese province of South Kivu.

"The delivery of the vaccines is the first step of Team Europe's global response to tackle the crisis," said Laurent Muschel, Head of the European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness Office. "We will continue to work hand in hand with our partners to ensure that vulnerable populations across the continent are protected."