Why is Congo struggling to contain mpox?

KAVUMU, Congo — Health authorities have struggled to contain outbreaks of mpox in Congo, a huge central African country where a myriad of existing problems makes stemming the spread particularly hard. Dr. Musole Mulambamunva Robert, medical director of the Kavumu hospital in eastern Congo, said it is “truly a challenge” — sometimes treating as many as four times the facility’s capacity for patients. She also said health workers in eastern Congo have requested more mpox training as medications to treat fever and ease pain run out. “While mpox is a public health emergency of international concern, there is a lack of in-depth research and interest in the virus, as it’s still seen as a tropical disease, localized to Africa with no major impact on Western economies.” ___ Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria, and Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.