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According to UNHCR, 42 suspected mpox cases have been detected in the South Kivu Province of the DRC \u2013 the war-ravaged central African country which is the epicentre of the outbreak.<\/p>\n
There have been other suspected and confirmed cases among refugee populations in the Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.<\/p>\n
On 14 August, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the rise in mpox cases constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), with most cases so far being detected in the DRC.<\/p>\n
Recent reports from WHO indicate that there are currently more than 18,000 suspected mpox cases and 615 confirmed deaths there and over 220 recorded cases of the new mpox strain Clade 1b in neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n
UNHCR noted that there are also suspected cases in \u201cconflict-impacted provinces\u201d which host DRC\u00b4s 7.3 million internally displaced people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn these areas, the virus threatens to exacerbate an already impossible situation for a population devastated by decades of conflict<\/strong>, forced displacement, appalling human rights abuses and a lack of international assistance,\u201d UNHCR said.<\/p>\n The refugee agency said members in displaced communities fleeing violence have a \u201ctremendous challenge\u201d implementing mpox prevention measures due to being in overcrowded shelters and having limited access to essential services and humanitarian assistance.<\/p>\n \u201cDisplaced families living in crowded schools, churches and tents in farmers\u2019 fields have no space to isolate when they develop symptoms<\/strong> of the disease,\u201d UNHCR said.<\/p>\n Further, displaced community members in unstable zones of the eastern DRC experience difficulty accessing laboratories<\/strong> for mpox testing.<\/p>\n WHO, UNHCR, and their partners, in coordination with national health authorities, have strengthened health system preparedness and response measures in refugee camps, including reinforcing handwashing stations in public spaces and transit centres.<\/p>\n Where cases have been confirmed or suspected, initiatives are underway on a national level to increase awareness and offer correct information in the languages spoken by displaced groups.<\/p>\n However, the extent of the outbreak has resulted in a shortage of community health workers who can meet the rising demand, UNHCR says.<\/p>\n The refugee agency stresses the importance of fully including refugees and displaced people in national preparedness and response efforts for this public health emergency, from monitoring to medical care.<\/p>\n\u2018No space to isolate\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Agencies respond<\/strong><\/h2>\n