Adigun Olaniyi Abideen, Okesanya Olalekan John, Ahmed Mohamed Mustaf, Ukoaka Bonaventure Michael, Lucero-Prisno Don Eliseo, Onyeaghala Emmanuella Ogechi, Oluwasusi Emmanuel Ayomide, Ogunwale Olamide Esther, Faniyi Ayodeji Amos
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Transbound Emerg Dis. 2024 Nov 20;2024:1962224. doi: 10.1155/tbed/1962224. eCollection 2024.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a syndemic of infectious diseases, including monkeypox (mpox), cholera, measles, anthrax, and plague, worsening public health challenges and socioeconomic disparities. This review synthesizes and discusses epidemiological data and consequences of simultaneous outbreaks in the DRC between January 2023 and March 2024. The findings highlight a 6.7% fatality rate and 3319 confirmed cases of mpox, with significant outbreaks in Kinshasa and 22 other provinces. Anthrax occasionally surfaced among cattle-raising villages, measles affected fewer than five children susceptible to the disease, and cholera outbreaks persisted in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. Plague incidences, mostly bubonic, have been reported in Ituri province. Vulnerable groups, including children, mothers, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, face increased risks due to poor healthcare access, hunger, and underlying medical conditions. Cultural beliefs, healthcare system issues, and socioeconomic instability impede effective response tactics. This strain on the fragile healthcare system highlights the need for increased surveillance, immunization efforts, and community involvement. To mitigate the effects of syndemic outbreaks, strengthening the DRC's health systems through international cooperation, integrated public health initiatives, and improved access to healthcare is crucial.
刚果民主共和国(DRC)面临着包括猴痘(mpox)、霍乱、麻疹、炭疽和鼠疫在内的传染病共发流行,这加剧了公共卫生挑战和社会经济差距。本综述综合并讨论了2023年1月至2024年3月期间刚果民主共和国同时爆发疫情的流行病学数据及后果。研究结果显示,猴痘的死亡率为6.7%,确诊病例达3319例,在金沙萨和其他22个省份有大规模疫情爆发。炭疽偶尔在养牛村出现,麻疹感染的易感儿童不到五名,霍乱疫情在北基伍、南基伍和坦噶尼喀持续存在。伊图里省报告了鼠疫发病情况,主要为腺鼠疫。弱势群体,包括儿童、母亲、老年人和免疫系统受损者,由于医疗服务获取困难、饥饿和潜在疾病,面临着更高的风险。文化信仰、医疗系统问题和社会经济不稳定阻碍了有效的应对策略。脆弱的医疗系统面临的这种压力凸显了加强监测、免疫接种工作和社区参与的必要性。为减轻共发疫情的影响,通过国际合作、综合公共卫生举措以及改善医疗服务获取来加强刚果民主共和国的卫生系统至关重要。