The mpox outbreak, which has been endemic in parts of Africa for decades, is now spreading to new regions and populations; In DRC, where the mortality rate is significantly higher than in West Africa, the virus has become a growing public health emergency. Dr. Louis Albert Massing, MSF’s medical coordinator in DRC, explains that the disease is transmitted through close human contact and can cause severe symptoms such as rashes, lesions, and pain. Most patients recover within a month, but the disease can be fatal without treatment.

Outbreak in DRC and MSF’s Response

Historically, mpox has been endemic in 11 of DRC’s 26 provinces. However, the situation has worsened in recent months, particularly in North Kivu province, where displaced populations are at greater risk. MSF teams are working to treat patients and contain the spread of the virus. The strain currently circulating in DRC is more lethal than the West African variant, which saw 89 global deaths in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

False Claims and Political Misinformation in the U.S.

A video of former U.S. President Donald Trump from 2023 has resurfaced in 2024 with misleading claims that he was warning of mpox-related lockdowns. In the video, Trump criticizes “left-wing lunatics” for trying to revive pandemic-era restrictions, but there is no evidence linking the video to current mpox concerns. Africa Check, a fact-checking organization, has confirmed that the claim has no basis in reality. The video was originally posted ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election and is being used to spread misinformation about the current mpox situation.

New Case in the Philippines

The Philippines has reported its first confirmed mpox case since December 2023. The patient is a 33-year-old man with no recent travel history outside the country. The Department of Health is awaiting test results to determine which variant of the virus is involved. The Philippines has confirmed 10 mpox cases since July 2022. The patient developed symptoms more than a week ago, including fever and a rash that spread across the face, neck, body, groin, and extremities. Health officials are monitoring the situation closely.

The global spread of mpox highlights the need for accurate information and coordinated public health responses. While the DRC continues to face a severe outbreak, the Philippines and other countries are also experiencing new cases. Meanwhile, misinformation about mpox in the U.S. risks undermining public trust in health authorities and complicating efforts to manage the outbreak effectively.