Mpox cases rise in DR Congo as country awaits vaccines

Mpox cases and deaths are rising in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the central African country awaits vaccines from the United States and Japan, the health minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said on Monday. DRC has registered 16,700 mpox cases and "a little more than 570" deaths since the start of the year, Kamba said.

The WHO had earlier declared the mpox surge in Africa a global public health emergency. In response, the United States has promised 50,000 vaccine doses for DRC, while Japan on Monday agreed to send 3.5 million doses, "only for children," according to the medical source. The source said that DRC "plans to vaccinate four million people including 3.5 million children".