Sex workers hit hard by mpox outbreak in eastern DR Congo: Video
Sex workers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are facing challenges during the ongoing mpox outbreak.
Dr Dally Muamba Kambaji from the international medical NGO ALIMA said nearly 20% of those affected are sex workers.
"Almost 20% of our patients are sex workers, or people who say they've been infected but have been in contact with an occasional partner who happens to be a sex worker. So this category is quite vulnerable and very exposed, and it's important that they be vaccinated," Dr Daily told AFP.
The nature of sex work complicates efforts to trace and treat the disease, as many individuals are reluctant to disclose their illness. “No one wanted to say she was ill,” said Alice, a local sex worker. “If I'm infected, I hide so others don't know, and vice-versa.”
As the outbreak grows, health officials are calling for targeted interventions to support the affected community.
