Monkeypox in DRC: More than 5,000 cases reported in 2019

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

When you think of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2019, the first outbreak that naturally come to your mind is the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. You may also think of the world’s largest measles outbreak of last year, as this has been getting more attention recently.

Did you know that the DRC reported more than 5,000 monkeypox cases in 2019?

According to the World Health Organization, DRC saw 5,060 cumulative monkeypox cases through Dec. 8 last year, including 103 fatalities–a 2 percent CFR.

This includes 56 cases and one death reported the week of Dec. 8.

This is multitudes more cases than is reported in Nigeria or other African countries.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that occurs throughout remote parts of Central and West Africa, often near tropical rain forests. Fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion are followed by a rash. Patients are usually ill for 2–4 weeks. Monkeypox is fatal in as many as 10% of people who get it.





Outbreak News Today: Most Viewed Stories of 2019

10 Most Important Infectious Disease Stories of 2019: Outbreak News Today

Measles: 300K cases reported in DRC

Uganda reports 2nd fatal Rift Valley fever case

Malaria in Burundi: ‘Progressive increase’ in cases in 2019, Case tally tops 8 million