The mpox virus spread globally earlier this year, bringing fears of another pandemic. Many western countries fought off the outbreak with treatments and vaccines. But in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the virus remains endemic, as it has for decades. Special correspondent Benedict Moran and video journalist Jorgen Samso report.
While the world grapples with monkeypox, science from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the first case was detected in 1970, could lead the way in eradicating the disease.
WHO - World Health Organization Regional[ ] (via Public) / Africa steps up targeted COVID-19 vaccination of most at risk people publicnow.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from publicnow.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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What is already known about this topic?
HIV viral load monitoring is recommended to assess antiretroviral treatment success; however, low- and middle-income countries face financial, operational, and country-specific challenges that must be overcome to adequately scale up viral load monitoring for all HIV-positive persons.
What is added by this report?
Sub-Saharan African countries have overcome challenges to initiate and scale up HIV viral load testing to monitor patients receiving ART. By 2018, seven of eight assessed countries reported viral load suppression rates of ≥85%. Logistical problems remain in several countries.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Viral load testing in low- and middle-income countries enables monitoring of viral load suppression at the individual and population level, which is necessary to achieve global epidemic control.