Title: Congo Faces Worst Monkeypox Outbreak in History, Discrimination against LGBTQ+ Community May Worsen Crisis, Experts Warn
Congo is currently grappling with its largest-ever outbreak of mpox (monkeypox), a viral disease that has been spreading rapidly throughout the country. Scientists are now cautioning that discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in Africa could potentially worsen the outbreak.
In a startling revelation first reported in November by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was revealed that mpox was being transmitted through sexual contact in Congo for the first time. The disease has been present in central and west Africa for decades, but sexual transmission was not documented until 2022.
Statistics indicate that the majority of the 91,000 people infected with mpox in around 100 countries during 2022 were gay or bisexual men. However, the unwillingness to report symptoms and gaps in monitoring could drive the outbreak underground in Africa, making it harder to contain.
The WHO identified the first sexually transmitted cases of severe mpox in Congo last spring, when a Belgian resident who identified as a man who has sex with other men arrived in Kinshasa. Shockingly, even health workers in Congo were unaware of the possibility of sexual transmission of the disease, resulting in missed cases.
Typically, mpox manifests itself through fever, skin rash, lesions, and muscle soreness for up to a month. It spreads through close contact, and most patients recover without receiving medical treatment. However, during the global outbreak in 2022, mass vaccination programs targeting gay and bisexual men were implemented in some countries. Yet, experts express doubts about this approach being effective due to the stigma against gay communities in Africa.
Adding to the complexity, there is no licensed mpox vaccine available in Congo, and regulatory issues and limited supplies are further complicating the situation. African governments may not prioritize seeking assistance from the WHO or donors to secure vaccines, as mpox is considered a low-priority nuisance.
According to virus expert Oyewale Tomori, focusing on stronger monitoring, laboratory networks, and better access to diagnostic supplies would be more beneficial in Africa than solely relying on vaccines.
The consequences of not taking greater measures to stop the outbreak in Africa could be severe. There are concerns that mpox could follow a trajectory similar to the HIV pandemic, which initially affected gay and bisexual men in the global north before spreading to heterosexual populations in Africa.
Of equal concern is the potential impact of mpox on women of reproductive age, who now account for over 60% of new HIV infections in Africa. Scientists emphasize the urgent need to address the outbreak in Africa to prevent the virus from recurring.
If the world fails to act decisively to stop the spread of mpox in Africa, it could continue infecting new populations and potentially spark outbreaks in other countries. The global community must work together to prevent this situation from escalating further and safeguard the health of vulnerable populations.
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