Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of MPOX Patients Admitted to the Bukavu University Clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo From July to December 2024: Open Cohort Study

<b>Background:</b> Several studies have focused on the town of Kamituga, the epicentre of the current MPOX Clade Ib epidemic, in South Kivu Province, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the disease is widespread in several health zones in this province. <b>Objectives:</b> The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and vital prognosis of admissions for MPOX in the city of Bukavu (21,808 inhabitants/km²), in the province of South Kivu. <b>Methodology:</b> Between 1 July and 31 December 2024, MPOX patients were recruited as and when they were admitted to the treatment centre at the Bukavu university clinics. For each patient, clinical characteristics and outcome were sought. <b>Results:</b> Of the 343 patients hospitalized during this study period, 201 (58.6%) were men and 142 (41.4%) were women (<i>p</i>=0.001). The median age was 21.0 (11.0-27.7) years. Traders (42.3%) and field workers (24.7%) were more numerous. Contact with an MPOX case (61.2%) was the most frequent mode of contamination. The frequency was 70.2% for elevated white blood cells, 73.0% for elevated c-reactive protein, 37.9% for anemia, 43.1% for genital lesions, 7.0% for pregnancy and 2.6% for HIV. Finally, during the 2400 patient-day observation period, 3 patients subsequently died (0.8%). The incidence of death was 1.25/1000 patient days. <b>Conclusion:</b> The results of this study show that, in the city of Bukavu, MPOX is a disease of young people. Contact with a case of MPOX was the most important mode of contamination, and the professions at risk were trade and field work. Thus, the list of professions at risk of MPOX to be vaccinated must be established according to each region.