The World Health Organization (WHO) has affirmed the occurrence of sexual transmission of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking a significant development in the midst of the country’s largest outbreak.
This alarming discovery, according to African scientists, could complicate efforts to contain the disease.
Late on Thursday, the WHO disclosed that a Belgian resident, who identified himself as a man engaging in sexual relations with other men, tested positive for mpox after traveling to Congo in March.
The individual had frequented underground clubs catering to gay and bisexual men, where five of his sexual contacts later tested positive for mpox, making it the first confirmed instance of sexual transmission of monkeypox in Africa.
Oyewale Tomori, a Nigerian virologist associated with WHO advisory groups, emphasized the significance of this finding, stating, “The idea that this kind of transmission could not be happening here has now been debunked.”
Monkeypox, traditionally transmitted to humans from infected rodents in central and west Africa, has seen limited outbreaks.
However, recent outbreaks in Europe, predominantly among gay and bisexual men, prompted the WHO to declare a global emergency last year, resulting in over 91,000 cases worldwide.
The WHO highlighted the existence of numerous clubs in Congo where men engage in sexual activities, with members traveling to other parts of Africa and Europe.
The agency described the current mpox outbreak as unusual, underscoring the risk of widespread transmission within sexual networks.
This year’s mpox outbreak in Congo, infecting over 12,500 people and claiming approximately 580 lives, is unprecedented.
It is the first time the disease has been identified in Kinshasa, the capital, and the conflict-ridden province of South Kivu.
Virologist Tomori raised concerns about underreported figures and warned that the virus might be spreading similarly in other parts of Africa, concealed by the secrecy enforced by anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
Tomori cautioned against driving at-risk populations underground, as this could exacerbate the challenges of disease control.
The mpox virus manifests as fever, chills, rash, and lesions on the face or genitals, with most people recovering within weeks without hospitalization.
The WHO expressed concern about the significant risk of mpox spreading to other African countries and globally, potentially surpassing the consequences of the previous worldwide epidemic.
Tomori lamented the lack of mass immunization campaigns in Africa despite thousands of cases, emphasizing the need for a more serious approach to the monkeypox threat.
