In a bid to contain the escalating outbreak of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the first donation of vaccines has arrived in the country's capital, Kinshasa. The European Union (EU) donated approximately 100,000 doses of Bavarian Nordic's vaccine, with an additional 100,000 expected to arrive on Saturday.

According to Dr Jean Kaseya, the director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the rapid geographical spread of the disease necessitates urgent action to curb its transmission to neighboring countries. With over 25,000 reported cases of mpox in Africa this year, representing a 104% increase from last year, the outbreak has been declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) and African health officials.

While the majority of cases still stem from the DRC, numbers are on the rise in other locations as well. Dr Kaseya expressed concern over a suspected case of mpox in a seven-year-old child in Guinea, potentially indicating the presence of the new clade Ib variant detected in West Africa. The virus is believed to be spreading rapidly through close contact between people, leading to a surge in cases.

To combat the outbreak, an estimated $600 million will be required for a comprehensive response plan over the next six months. Western partners, including the EU and the US, have pledged approximately 380,000 doses of mpox vaccines. However, health officials highlight the need for three million doses to effectively end the outbreaks in the country.

Vaccination programs are expected to prioritize individuals who have had contact with suspected cases, as well as healthcare and frontline workers in areas with active transmission. However, the program is unlikely to commence until October, as local healthcare and logistical personnel are still undergoing training on vaccine storage and administration. A robust public information campaign is also being rolled out to increase awareness of mpox and address any vaccine hesitancy concerns.

Affordability of the vaccines remains a concern, with the WHO estimating a cost of $50 to $75 per dose. Dr Andrew Hill of Liverpool University emphasized the need for lower prices, suggesting that Bavarian Nordic should consider reducing their prices for large orders or allowing generic companies to mass-produce the vaccine at a lower cost.

The presence of the clade Ib variant in Kinshasa, the country's capital, signifies its potential spread across the DRC. Dr Eddy Lusamaki of the DRC's National Institute of Biomedical Research stressed the importance of enhanced surveillance strategies to control the disease's dissemination, given Kinshasa's international connections and exchanges.

As the mpox outbreak intensifies in the DRC and beyond, the arrival of the initial vaccine donation brings hope for curbing the spread of the disease. However, the urgent need for more doses, affordable pricing, and rigorous surveillance strategies remain essential in tackling this public health crisis.