This viral infection, which was first transmitted from animals to humans, is now transmitted from person to person, mainly through close contact. In the South Kivu province in eastern DRC, the province with the highest number of Mpox cases, progress in combating the disease has been made. But it is always there and sometimes so is the reluctance to seek treatment. So for a total victory against Mpox, the fight continues against rumors and stigmatization which can delay consultations.
From our special correspondent in Miti-Murhesa,
In the pouring rain, community relays go door to door. Mabintou joined the team a few weeks ago. Since she left the hospital where she was admitted, suffering from Mpox. His role? Convince members of your community, the Pygmies, to seek treatment or be vaccinated. “ Previously, no Pygmy could be vaccinated. Perhaps because of customs and our traditions. But today, thanks to awareness, we will get vaccinated. »
The young woman is accompanied by Elias Baraka Mugareka who affirms that by knocking on the doors of the inhabitants of Miti-Murhesa: “ We want to stop this Mpox epidemic which is still havoc in our community. » When the epidemic flared up in the region at the end of summer 2024, rumors were rife. “ Some people were spreading all kinds of rumors about the Mpox vaccine, that it was a bad vaccine, that it had been introduced to exterminate the Congolese and more particularly young people and that they could become sterile. ,” explains Elias Baraka Mugareka
Do prevention
It must be said that from the start, the disease had a bad reputation. It was in Kamituga, a town about 300 km from Miti-Murhesa, that the virus was first spotted. It quickly spread, particularly in the many brothels of this mining town. And then, with the displacement of populations, the disease then arrived in Miti-Muhresa, where it exploded, making the area the main focus of the epidemic.
So to remedy this, certain NGOs are focusing their support on prevention, particularly with radio spots. “ Currently, we use 37 radio stations across the province, explains Robert Kahumula, responsible for the fight against Mpox for ReMeDa Congolese NGO supported by Unicef. We also organize campaigns with “target groups”, for example sex workers, we use community dialogues as well as popular forums for expression. »
In this health zone, reluctance about the disease has decreased, as has the number of cases. But it is still there, recall the medical authorities.
Also readDRC: Mpox disease on the decline in South Kivu
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