Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Health authorities in the northeastern Congolese city of Bunia have confirmed a case of mpox, adding another public-health challenge in an area already dealing with a major Ebola outbreak.

The confirmed case involves a 21-year-old woman who was admitted to a hospital with skin lesions consistent with mpox. Laboratory testing subsequently confirmed the infection. A second woman, aged 32, was identified as a suspected case and was awaiting laboratory results, according to health officials.

Patients Isolated

The confirmed patient and the suspected case have been isolated and placed under medical care while health officials investigate the possible source of infection.

Authorities are also conducting contact-tracing activities to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Several other suspected mpox infections were reportedly under investigation in Bunia, increasing attention on the city’s disease-surveillance system.

Ebola Outbreak Adds Pressure

The mpox case comes while the Democratic Republic of the Congo is dealing with a large outbreak of Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus.

The latest available figures show that 8,067 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,901 deaths had been reported in the country by September 26. The outbreak has affected 63 health zones across seven provinces.

The simultaneous monitoring of multiple infectious diseases is placing additional demands on an already stretched healthcare system.

Mpox Had Recently Lost Emergency Status

The Democratic Republic of the Congo ended its national mpox public-health emergency in April after a prolonged outbreak that produced more than 34,000 confirmed cases.

Authorities had warned at the time that ending the emergency did not mean the virus had disappeared completely and that additional cases could occur.

Health Officials Trace Possible Transmission

Investigators are working to determine how the virus reached the confirmed patient and whether additional people have been infected.

Contact tracing and laboratory testing are important parts of the response because identifying infections early can help authorities limit further transmission.

Health officials are also monitoring other parts of the country where mpox activity has reportedly increased.

A Complex Public-Health Situation

The development illustrates the difficulties faced by health authorities when several infectious-disease threats occur simultaneously.

WHO has said the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is already operating in a challenging environment involving insecurity, population movement and pressure on healthcare services.

Authorities will now need to maintain Ebola-control measures while ensuring that possible mpox infections are detected and investigated promptly.