Mpox is a viral infection that causes acute disease in humans and can be fatal. On Aug 14, 2024, the WHO declared the ongoing mpox outbreak to be a global public health emergency. Shifting transmission patterns via sexual routes are a novel feature of the current outbreaks. Preliminary findings highlight spread via heterosexual transmission, with an increased risk in female sex workers in the DR Congo. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, remains high in DR Congo and is exacerbated by the high prevalence of sexual violence against women associated with decades-long armed conflicts. Particular attention should be given to people living with HIV (PLWH), who represent a vulnerable population owing to their weakened immunity, which might render them unable to mount an effective immune response against mpox.
