Democratic Republic Of Congo Begins Monkeypox Vaccination

Illustration of the mpox vaccine or monkeypox. (Special)

JAKARTA - The Democratic Republic of Congo began its first vaccination against thempox disease, the World Health Organization (WHO) regional department said on Saturday (5/10).

In August this year, WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak in Africa a state of public health emergency of international concern.

"Today, the Democratic Republic of Congo started vaccination #mox... to control the outbreak... and protect lives. Vaccinations will prioritize health workers, frontline respondents, confirmed case contacts, and other risky groups," the WHO Africa said via X.

Democratic Republic of Congo recorded more than 30,590 cases ofmpox, as well as more than 980 deaths during 2024.

In September, the first batch of monkeypox vaccines, Nordic Bavaria, given by the European Commission's department for Health Emergency Preparedness (HERA), began arriving in the African country.

Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease that can infect humans.

Monkeypox is usually a mild disease that can heal in a few weeks, but some people may experience complications.

Early symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swelling of lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue.

Ruam can appear, often start on the face and then spread to other parts of the body.