Study of Monkeypox Spread, Effects, and Vaccine Protection in the Democratic Republic of Congo Using a Cross-Sectional Survey

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how monkeypox mpox spreads in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, how it affects different groups of people, and how well vaccines protect against it. This observational study uses a cross-sectional survey design, collecting data from patients diagnosed with mpox at one point in time, and a case-control approach comparing those who test positive to those who test negative to find risk factors and vaccine effectiveness. The study is conducted by the Institut National de Recherche Biomdicale and international partners, focusing on provinces heavily affected by mpox outbreaks. Participants with suspected mpox who visit hospitals or health centers for testing will be invited to join the study. They will answer questions about symptoms, medical history, exposure to the virus, and vaccination status. Biological samples such as blood, throat swabs, and skin lesion swabs will be collected to test for mpox and other infections like measles or chickenpox. Hospitalized patients will have additional data recorded about their recovery. During the study, researchers will collect clinical and sociodemographic information, exposure factors, and transmission modes of mpox. They will compare infection rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated people and examine differences between two virus types. The study also tracks co-infections and risk factors for severe disease or death. Data will help train healthcare workers and improve real-time sharing on an online platform. The study will run for two years, assessing many health and transmission outcomes related to mpox.

Epidemiological and Pathophysiological Insights Through a Cross-sectional Survey (EPIC)