In brief
The ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo has forced more than 500 mpox patients to flee from clinics, complicating efforts to manage the disease and raising fears of an outbreak as rebel forces take control.
In a severe escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, over 500 mpox patients have fled various health clinics in the region, according to health officials. The situation arose amidst heavy fighting as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized control of cities such as Goma and Bukavu. Officials from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) expressed deep concern for the missing patients, who have the potential to unknowingly spread the highly contagious disease. Last year, around 900 fatalities were linked to mpox—the disease previously known as monkeypox.Reports have emerged from Goma’s Mugunga health center, where 128 patients fled in chaos at the end of January. Dr. Samuel Muhindo, in charge of the center, lamented the destruction caused by looters, stating, "We were looted. We lost equipment. It was a disaster." The clinic's lost documentation has made it impossible for health workers to trace the escaped patients.Health facilities, particularly hospitals like Bisengimana, have suffered severe setbacks as looters made off with critical supplies, medicines, and personal protective equipment. The facility faced additional mayhem when arsonists set fires outside, leaving a chaotic scene behind. As the conflict intensified, a troubling directive from M23 forced many displaced individuals to vacate temporary camps, leading to fears of an explosion of mpox cases in newly affected areas. Dr. Muhindo voiced his concerns, echoing the statements from Africa CDC officials who are advocating for a ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors for effective disease interventions.Adding to the alarm, a new mpox variant with a higher transmissibility risk has been detected, further complicating an already strained healthcare response in the country. Acknowledgment of underfunding and resource shortages has hindered the fight against the disease, exacerbated by the ongoing violence.Although the Mugunga facility managed to reopen, it is already overwhelmed. Dr. Oummani Rouafi from Unicef noted that the limited reopening was only possible because some equipment was hidden from looters. Sadiki Bichichi Aristide, a patient from the Mugunga clinic, recounted his harrowing journey of fleeing violence only to become ill with mpox.As fighting continues and the number of missing patients rises daily, fears mount over potential outbreaks in regions that have already been destabilized. The international community watches closely as this health crisis unfolds amid ongoing conflict.
