June 25, 2024

Mpox outbreak on the DRC border – a new strain identified

A new strain of mpox (formerly known as monkey pox) has been identified in adults and children on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border with Rwanda and Burundi. This new cluster of cases appears to be more dangerous than previous outbreaks in a variety of ways such as being spread more easily and causing serious disease, deaths in children and adults. This has prompted concerns within the public health community on the ground and abroad.

Journalists came to hear from those investigating this outbreak on what they know so far about this new strain, what unknowns remain and what action and research is needed to fully understand and respond to this outbreak.

Speakers included:

Leandre Murhula Masirika, Research Coordinator in DRC, The Health Department, South Kivu Provence

John Claude Udahemuka, Lecturer, University of Rwanda

Dr Pacifique Ndishimye, Senior Research Fellow, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda

Prof Trudie Lang, Professor of Global Health Research and Director of The Global Health Network, University of Oxford

Dr Freddy Siangoli, Division Provinciale de ca Sante (Provincial Health Division)