By Christoph Lubczyk | Project Leader
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared
the highest alert level due to a new variant of
the Mpox virus in Africa. As Mpox spreads in several
countries, the virus could become a health risk
and lead to severe disease, especially in children.
Our partner organization, the Johanniter have had
offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya,
Mozambique, South Sudan and Uganda for many years.
Except for South Sudan, cases of Mpox infections have
already occurred in all project countries. The
Democratic Republic of Congo is the hardest hit by this
year's outbreak. According to the WHO, there have
already been more than 14,000 cases in the Central
African country this year. 524 people died from the
virus.
DR Congo: “People live in extremely cramped conditions”
Especially in the refugee camps in the embattled North
Kivu region in the east of the Congo, all the conditions
are in place for the disease to spread. People live in
cramped conditions, hygiene conditions are poor and there
is little access to medical care. The Johanniter are deployed
here in seven camps with mobile clinics. “There have already
been 10 cases of illness in our clinics,” confirms medical
coordinator of the Johanniter in the Congo.
The numbers are still low and those affected can be isolated.
To ensure that it stays that way, our partner organization,
the Johanniter, are now focusing on prevention and education
for people. Health workers and volunteers use information
campaigns to educate people about symptoms and precautionary
measures. The employees in the mobile clinics are also
prepared for the virus and are appropriately equipped and
set up.
Precautionary measures in several African countries
"The first cases have also occurred outside the Democratic
Republic of Congo, although so far they have been small. But
this can quickly become a health crisis for the entire continent
if precautionary measures in the area of infection prevention
and control are not taken seriously," says regional health advisor
for the Johanniter in Uganda. "Communities are urged to practice
high levels of hygiene and avoid contact with infected people.
We must take action now to prevent a new pandemic."
The first case of Mpox infection was confirmed in Mozambique
yesterday, posing additional challenges to the country, which
is currently battling an outbreak of the highly contagious measles.
In Kenya, the authorities test people when they enter the country
and try to prevent the spread. Tests are carried out particularly
at strategically important border crossings in the north of the
country. Uganda also primarily monitors the country's border with
the Democratic Republic of Congo and checks travelers for symptoms.
Many people are currently fleeing to Uganda due to the unrest in Congo.
Coordination and expansion of measures
The Johanniter have increased the precautionary measures in the
projects in all countries. Awareness campaigns are carried out in
the communities and volunteers are trained to inform the people in
the villages. Employees also take part in government task force forums
and clusters of various organizations to coordinate and expand
protection and relief measures. Global, regional and country-specific
updates are routinely provided and an intensive exchange on the
situation, including the availability of vaccines, takes place.
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