The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at risk of becoming a hotspot for disease transmission following renewed conflict and the freeze in aid from the United States, warned Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
M23 rebels recently seized two towns from DRC forces, causing over 400 patients with mpox to flee health facilities. Cholera and measles outbreaks are also affecting the region. Over a million displaced people in Goma and over 150,000 in Bukavu are particularly vulnerable to disease.
“This can be the entry point for a new pandemic,” said Kaseya, adding that lab testing has been disrupted due to the US funding freeze. “In regions like South Kivu and North Kivu, we don’t have information because of insecurity or the pause in US government funding.”
The US aid freeze affects not only DRC but also continental malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV efforts. Africa CDC is negotiating with the US to secure commitment of pledged funds. Despite this, numerous health projects are still in limbo.
In a positive development, mpox vaccine manufacturer Bavaria Nordic has concluded an 95% technology transfer deal with an African company to enable local production of the vaccine. Dr Ngashi Ngongo said he is working on creating demand for the vaccine and creating a continental stockpile to ensure countries will buy locally manufactured vaccines.
The African Union has given its approval for an African Epidemic Fund, which will facilitate a flexible response to outbreaks and receive funding without limitation.
Source: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/playing-with-fire-drc-could-become-disease-transmission-hotspot