Six weeks after Rwanda-backed rebels captured two major cities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the region is facing a setback in its fight against the mpox outbreak.
The DRC has the highest burden of the virus with the epicentre in the east.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that as fighting with the M23 escalates, more than 600 mpox patients fled different hospitals.
It said the country saw a 31 per cent increase in cases last week, bringing the total to close to 16,255.
Many patients can’t be found. Recently arrived vaccines are running short as supplies can’t reach combat zones. And hospitals have been under attack.
“The situation has been very difficult. Insecurity has disrupted everything,” said Dr Serge Munyahu Cikuru, medical officer in charge of the Miti Murhesa health zone in South Kivu province.