At least 10 people have died after an outbreak of monkeypox disease in the east of the Central African Republic.

The country’s Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday that the 10 died out of 19 patients who were undergoing treatment.

“We counted 10 deaths out of 19 patients in the sub-prefectures of Alindao and Mingala in Basse-Kotto. Other deaths were also reported in villages in Haute-Kotto,” said Dr. Joachim Tenguéré of the public health emergency operations centre.

We counted 10 deaths out of 19 patients in the sub-prefectures of Alindao and Mingala in Basse-Kotto. Other deaths were also reported in villages in Haute-Kotto.

“Arrangements are being made for a rapid response team to be dispatched on site to assist,” he added.

Several months ago, cases of the monkeypox were detected in the Bangassou region at the border of DR Congo.

The country has already faced three months of a cholera outbreak that has killed 19 people out of at least 200 patients.

Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It was first identified in monkeys and infects rodents more often than primates. The disease is indigenous to Central and West Africa.