Mbanza Kongo: Health authorities in the municipality of Mbanza Kongo, Zaire province, have recently intensified epidemiological surveillance measures on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the identification of the first Monkeypox case in Luanda. João Bernardo, the director of the provincial health office, communicated these developments to the press on Wednesday, emphasizing the readiness of the teams despite the extensive land and river border shared with the Central Congo region of the DRC.
According to Angola Press News Agency, no suspected cases of Monkeypox have been registered at the main border posts with the DRC. The health authorities have reinforced the epidemiological surveillance teams deployed at strategic border posts, including Luvo (Mbanza Kongo), Nóqui, Kimbumba (Soyo), Buela, and Minga, located in the municipality of Cuimba. These rapid response teams are prepared to handle any eventualities related to Monkeypox at the border.
The official urged the population
to report any suspected cases of the disease to the health authorities stationed at these border locations. Additionally, an emergency medical center has been established in the communal headquarters of Luvo, Mbanza Kongo municipality, to cater to any suspected cases of Monkeypox, also known as Mpox.
The province of Zaire, which shares a 310 km border with the DRC, includes four municipalities: Mbanza Kongo, Soyo, Cuimba, and Nóqui. These municipalities are at the forefront of Angola’s efforts to prevent the spread of Monkeypox across its borders.