Hundreds of children dying in virulent new mpox wave

World Vision states that the monkeypox outbreak currently spreading in Central and West Africa is more deadly, with children facing the highest risk of death. The outbreak is currently concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but other areas such as Sudan and South Sudan are also increasingly concerned due to ongoing civil wars in the region leading to famine and displacement.

Of the 7,851 monkeypox cases reported in Congo, 39% are in children under the age of five, with 240 deaths (62% of total deaths) already recorded. Africa is being ravaged by a new strain of the monkeypox virus. In Congo, children under 15 account for more than 70% of monkeypox cases and 85% of deaths.

World Vision Australia CEO Daniel Wordsworth said, "This is a new, more deadly strain of monkeypox, much more serious than what we've seen in previous years, and children in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and other low-income countries will bear the brunt of the disease and even death." He also noted that, "People living in refugee camps or other crowded areas, lacking clean water, safe food, and medical services are at higher risk."

Wordsworth called on international governments to join the effort, providing vaccines and health advice to stop the spread of the outbreak. He added, "We are even more concerned about countries like Sudan and South Sudan, which are already facing refugee problems and the spread of disease due to civil war—we need to do everything we can to stop the spread of monkeypox."

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the new monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency. The WHO stated that more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have occurred in Africa this year, already exceeding last year's figures. Chris Kasita Osako, coordinator of the Congo Monkeypox Response Committee, said that Congolese authorities have requested 4 million doses of vaccine, mainly for young children, but have not yet received any.

Dr. Boguma Titanji, an infectious disease expert at Emory University, said that the WHO's previous emergency declaration regarding monkeypox "did little to provide Africa with supplies such as diagnostic tests, medicines, and vaccines." Titanji stated that it is currently unclear why children in Congo are being so severely affected by monkeypox. She believes that it could be because children are more susceptible to the virus, or social factors, such as overcrowding and contact with parents who have the disease, may explain this.