Sex workers hit hard by mpox outbreak in eastern DR Congo

FRANCE 24 English

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00:00It's the epicentre of the Mpox outbreak that's ravaging the DRC.

00:05The former mining town of Kamituga has long been a prime destination for entrepreneurs

00:10and gold miners looking to turn a quick profit, but also for thousands of sex workers, like

00:16Francine, who says she got infected on the job.

00:22I contracted the disease after sleeping with a man I didn't know.

00:26Two days afterwards, I started to feel a sharp pain in my genitals.

00:32An infectious disease that can be transmitted orally or sexually, Mpox can cause heavy fever,

00:38skin lesions and even lead to death if left unchecked.

00:42In the past year, the virus has seen a resurgence in the DRC, where it infected over 24,000

00:48people and killed nearly 800 since January.

00:52Faced with the risk of a pandemic, the government launched preparations for a massive vaccination

00:56drive set to kick off on October 2nd.

01:00And despite major logistical challenges, partly due to the ongoing conflict in North Kivu,

01:06medical professionals say the campaign must first target the most vulnerable.

01:10Around 20% of our patients are sex workers.

01:16This is a vulnerable and exposed population.

01:19It's very important that they are vaccinated.

01:23Health authorities are also urging those presenting symptoms to come forward as soon as possible.

01:29But in an environment where sexually transmitted diseases remain heavily stigmatized, many

01:34sex workers still tend to hide their condition after being infected with Mpox.

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