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The Mpox Epidemic
Democratic Republic of Congo
Budd’s DR Congo office reports that following the emergence of new highly contagious Mpox strains, the epidemic which started in 2022 in South Kivu province to the East of the country, has now spread to a total of 22 provinces including North Kivu, Sankuru, Ubangi, Shoop and Equateur.
Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo
On 26 May 2024, in DR Congo, 7,851 Mpox cases and 384 deaths had been reported.
As of 2 September 2024, no cases have been reported in the province of Kongo Central where the countries sea and river ports are to be found (Matadi, Boma etc.), but some have been detected in Kinshasa, the country’s capital and home to its international airport.
Following on from the recent Ebola and Covid epidemics, the World Bank has financed 105 MT of medicines. According to our local office, this contribution will cover the needs of more than 80% of the Mpox cases registered so far. To ensure equitable access to care for all, treatment for Mpox patients will be free of charge.
Other Affected Countries
Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa, are now seeing increasing numbers of Mpox cases. The World Health Organisation is closely monitoring the situation with a view to improving detection, treatment and prevention (e.g. vaccination).
Measures Worldwide
Budd’s offices worldwide report that very few specific Mpox measures have yet been introduced in their ports or airports, but health and port authorities are calling for increased vigilance and hygiene measures and may make on-the-spot decisions when faced with a potential Mpox case.
Cameroon
In Cameroon, our local office reports that the health authorities issued this circular calling for increased vigilance and hygiene measures such as:
- hand-washing, particularly after
- handling an animal or animal product
- taking care of a person with Mpox symptoms
- avoiding contact with the body fluids of sick people
- avoiding contact with sick or dead wild animals
- washing food and eating it well-cooked.
Indonesia
According to Budd Indonesia, the port authorities of Sabang Port (Aceh province) and Banda Aceh both refused to allow a vessel to enter the port to disembark a suspected Mpox case.
They were finally able to disembark the crew member in the larger port of Batam, Riau.
However, all the other crew Members were quarantined ashore until the authorities declared that the vessel could sail from Indonesia.
Mpox Facts
Transmission
Mpox is spread by:
- close contact, including sexual, with an infected person (skin-to-skin)
- respiratory droplets
- Animal-to-human transmission (including from dead animals)
Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear between 2- 4 weeks after exposure but have occasionally appeared after just one day.
They include:
- fever
- sore throat
- swollen lymph nodes
- headache
- muscle aches
- back pain
- rash
- low energy
Recommendations
- Use hydroalcholic gels.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, particularly after
- handling an animal or animal product;
- taking care of a person with Mpox symptoms.
- Apply social distancing measures with sick people.
- Avoid contact with sick or dead wild animals.
- Wash food and eat it well-cooked.
- If a crew member shows symptoms during a voyage:
- Apply strict quarantine measures.
- Notify the next port of call immediately.
- seek the assistance of your P&I Correspondent.
For more informationon Mpox, please visit the World Health Organization website: https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox/#tab=tab_1