Mpox Case Confirmed in Bunia Amid Ongoing Ebola Outbreak

A laboratory-confirmed case of mpox has been identified in Bunia, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, involving a 21-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with skin lesions consistent with the disease. Hospital director Davin Ambitapio Musungufu reported that the woman tested positive for mpox on Friday.

A second suspected case, a 32-year-old woman, is awaiting laboratory results. Both women are isolated and receiving care from a dedicated medical team.

Health authorities are actively investigating these cases, including contact tracing and determining the source of infection. Dr Adelard Lofungola, a health official and former deputy incident manager for Congo’s mpox response, noted that five suspected mpox cases are under investigation in Bunia, with an increase in cases reported across the country over the past month.

The resurgence of mpox occurs amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, which has recorded 7,890 cases and 3,799 deaths since its declaration on May 15.