New Mpox Case Confirmed in Congo City Fighting Ebola Outbreak

A laboratory-confirmed case of mpox has been found in the northeastern Congolese city of Bunia, raising fears of a virus comeback while the nation fights its worst Ebola outbreak ever. Hospital director Davin Ambitapio Musungufu and two health officials confirmed the case.

Patient Details and Isolation

The patient is a 21-year-old woman who went to the hospital on Thursday with skin lesions all over her body. She tested positive on Friday. A second woman, aged 32, is a suspected case and is waiting for test results. Both women are kept away from others and are receiving care from a dedicated medical team. Health workers are now tracing contacts to find out how the infection started.

Wider Outbreak Context

Adelard Lofungola, a health official who helped lead the country's mpox response, said five suspected cases are under investigation in Bunia. Officials note that mpox cases have gone up in several parts of the country over the past month. Dr. Lofungola added that the heavy burden of the Ebola outbreak is making it harder for the health system to track other diseases. The Ebola epidemic in Ituri province, where Bunia is located, started on May 15 and has infected 7,890 people and killed 3,799, based on government data. Congo previously ended its national public health emergency for mpox in April following a three-year outbreak with over 34,000 confirmed cases, though officials warned back then that the virus could return.