The Oicha health zone in Beni reported its first confirmed case of Mpox

The Oicha health zone in Beni territory, North Kivu, reported its first confirmed case of Mpox (monkeypox) on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The suspected case had been under medical surveillance since January 5, and the result came back positive on the 11th.

The deputy administrator of Beni territory, Colonel Marcel Kaloni, spoke with Beninipashe.cd on Monday, urging the public to follow strict health measures to prevent the spread of the disease. "We urge the population to adhere to health guidelines to stop the virus from spreading," he stated. He confirmed the case with the Chief Medical Officer of the health zone.

The confirmed case involves a two-month-old baby, whose mother is a displaced war survivor living in a camp for displaced persons in the area.

Health authorities continue to be concerned about the ongoing monkeypox situation in North Kivu. Out of the 34 health zones in the province, 15 have been affected by the disease.

In the northern part of the province, over 700 cases have been reported since November 2024, with seven health zones already impacted: Mutwanga, Vuhovi, Beni, Kyondo, Katwa, Alimbongo, and Mangurejipa. The Oicha health zone is now also added to the list of affected areas