The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in Goma and Bukavu, faces a heightened risk of becoming a disease transmission hotspot due to escalating conflict and a freeze on U.S. aid, as warned by Dr. Jean Kaseya of Africa CDC.

In response to the crisis, around 190 DRC Red Cross volunteers are actively working to recover bodies and prevent epidemics, highlighting the urgent need for increased humanitarian assistance.

Grégoire Mateso Mbuta, president of the DRC Red Cross, has described the dire humanitarian situation, noting that morgues and hospitals in Goma are overwhelmed with bodies.

Recent fighting has resulted in over 400 mpox patients fleeing health facilities, while outbreaks of cholera and measles are also prevalent in the area.

The U.S. had previously pledged $500 million to assist with mpox and other outbreaks, but only $385 million has been committed, with negotiations ongoing to secure the remaining funds.

Dr. Kaseya cautions that this situation could lead to the region becoming an entry point for a new pandemic, as insecurity and the funding freeze have severely disrupted disease reporting and laboratory testing.

The cessation of U.S. funding has also hindered previously established sample referral mechanisms in the DRC, further exacerbating the ongoing health crisis.

The region is particularly vulnerable, with more than one million displaced individuals in Goma and over 150,000 in Bukavu, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

In a positive development, the African Union has approved the establishment of an African Epidemic Fund to address continental disease outbreaks, which will be administered by Africa CDC.

As mpox cases rise in neighboring countries like Uganda and Zambia, a technology transfer deal for local mpox vaccine production is nearing completion with an African company.

Dr. Ngashi Ngongo is working on demand creation for the mpox vaccine, including establishing a continental stockpile to ensure the availability of locally produced vaccines.

Despite a waiver on humanitarian expenditure announced by the U.S., many health projects remain stalled, including critical HIV prevention activities that were largely excluded from the waiver.