Gold-Rush Boomtown Fuels Deadly Mpcx Outbreak
Nightlife in Kamituga, a bustling mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been under scrutiny for its alleged contribution to the rapid spread of mpox. The usually vibrant bars and clubs have transformed into breeding grounds for the deadly viral disease, exacerbating a public health crisis that has engulfed the region.
For gold rush enthusiasts and traders, a day’s hard work ends with a thirst-quenching drink at one of the many bars that line Kamituga’s streets. But in recent months, the nightlife scene has also become a hotspot for illegal activities, with prostitutes flocking to the town and forming their own association to navigate the complex web of pimps, clients, and medical care.
Medical professionals in Kamituga have been struggling to contain the outbreak, which started in September. "20 per cent of our patients were contaminated by sexual transmission," said Dr. Dally Muamba Kambaji, a medical specialist at the ALIMA international medical NGO. "The condom does not protect from mpox," he underscored.
Prostitutes like Nicole Mubukwa and Alice, both members of the local sex workers’ association, blame the outbreak on the lucrative nature of their work, which attracts many clients looking for illicit companionship. "Since the outbreak of this disease, customers have been few and far between," said Mubukwa. "I was infected without knowing it, and it was tough for me because I couldn’t sleep with a man," added Alice.
But while some cases are linked to prostitution, others have reported being infected through casual contact in the town’s nightclubs, bars, and marketplaces. The disease is most contagious through skin-to-skin contact, making intimate gatherings like nightclubs ideal breeding grounds.
Kamituga’s health officials are urging locals to remain vigilant and to take immediate action to protect themselves against the spread of mpox. With the province currently at the epicentre of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, time is of the essence.
