Thousands of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries are in danger of contracting the mpox virus as cases of a new, more deadly variant continue to surge. Since the start of the year, an estimated 8,772 children have contracted the disease in the DRC, which accounts for more than half of the country’s total reported cases. The new mpox variant outbreak is one more worrying threat for children and families, who already face ongoing conflict, displacement, cholera and polio outbreaks, and malnutrition. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have declared the surge of mpox in the DRC and other African countries as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, while the World Health Organisation has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Children under 5 years of age face the highest risk of death, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. The UN’s children’s agency, UNICEF, is working with the Africa CDC, WHO, and other partners to support national governments in the DRC and neighboring countries, focusing on an mpox preparedness and response plan in the provinces of South Kivu, South Ubangi, and Sankuru.
The mpox virus poses a grave threat to thousands of children (Image via Getty)
The plan involves risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, medical and nutritional care, psychosocial support, integrated outbreak analysis, and coordination. UNICEF is appealing for $4,581,000 to scale up interventions in the DRC, which is already suffering funding shortfalls for emergencies linked to other disease outbreaks and ongoing conflict.
An additional $1 million is required in West and Central Africa for regional preparedness, coordination, and response efforts. Without immediate action and additional funding, the consequences for children will be severe. UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, emphasized that the evidence indicates that children, especially those malnourished or affected by other illnesses, are the most vulnerable to catching and dying from this strain of mpox. Protecting them must be the top priority.
