This study aims to better understand how mpox is spreading in the DRC, how it affects different groups of people, and how well vaccines protect against it. The study is designed as a cross-sectional survey, meaning researchers will collect and analyze data from patients diagnosed with mpox at a single point in time. It will also use a case-control approach, comparing people who test positive for the virus to those who test negative, to identify risk factors and evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Study design

What Will Happen During the Study?

• People with suspected mpox who come to a hospital or health center for testing will be invited to participate.
• Participants will answer questions about their symptoms, medical history, and possible exposure to the virus, including vaccination status.
• Biological samples (blood, throat swabs, and skin lesion swabs) will be collected and analyzed for mpox and other infections such as measles or chickenpox.
• Hospitalized patients will have additional data recorded about their recovery.

Main objectives

• Describe how mpox affects people in different parts of the DRC, including symptoms, risk factors, and how the virus spreads.
• Compare differences between two types of the virus (clades Ia and Ib) to understand whether one is more severe than the other.
• Assess the effectiveness of the mpox vaccine by comparing vaccination rates between infected and uninfected individuals.
• Identify risk factors for severe disease, complications, and death in mpox patients.
• Investigate co-infections (e.g., with measles or chickenpox) that might worsen the disease.
• Support mpox treatment and prevention efforts by training healthcare workers and improving real-time data sharing through an online platform.