Mpox Vaccines to Arrive Soon in DR Congo, Says WHO Chief

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization (WHO) is poised to deliver its first shipment of mpox vaccines to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the coming days, according to WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The announcement follows the WHO’s recent declaration of an international emergency due to a surge in cases of the Clade 1b strain of mpox in the DRC and its spread to neighboring countries.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva after returning from the DRC, Dr. Tedros emphasized the urgency of the situation. “We hope to have the first delivery in the next few days,” he stated. The DRC has reported over 18,000 suspected cases of mpox this year, resulting in 629 deaths. The eastern provinces of North and South Kivu have been particularly affected, with more than 5,000 cases and 31 deaths attributed to the new Clade 1b strain.

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“The number of reported cases of Clade 1b has been rising rapidly for several weeks. Fortunately, relatively few deaths have been reported in recent weeks,” Dr. Tedros noted. Beyond the DRC, Clade 1b cases have been confirmed in Burundi (258 cases), Rwanda (four cases), Uganda (four cases), Kenya (two cases), as well as isolated cases in Sweden and Thailand.

During his visit to the DRC, Dr. Tedros met with President Felix Tshisekedi to discuss strategies for managing the outbreaks. Key topics included the importance of clear communication about the virus and engaging with local communities to ensure effective response measures. “WHO is working to accelerate access to, and delivery of, vaccines,” Dr. Tedros said. He also underscored that vaccines, while critical, are only one part of the solution.

Dr. Tedros expressed optimism about controlling the outbreaks, stating, “We believe we can stop these outbreaks in the next six months.” However, he emphasized that long-term success hinges on addressing the region’s broader challenges, particularly the ongoing insecurity. “What this region of DRC needs more than anything else is a political solution to the long-running insecurity,” he added.

The WHO’s efforts to combat mpox in the DRC are part of a larger initiative to curb the virus’s spread globally, with a focus on both medical interventions and addressing underlying socio-political issues that exacerbate public health crises.