{
  "abstract": "Background Mpox, caused by the Mpox virus, is a zoonotic disease historically endemic in Central and West Africa. Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) carrying the highest Mpox burden, the literature lacks comprehensive data on long-term trends and geographic disparities inMpox% disease severity and mortality, highlighting a significant research gap. Understanding severity and mortality trends is critical for global control efforts. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines to synthesize evidence on Mpox severity and mortality in the DRC from 1970 to 2024. We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science. Random-effects models addressed high heterogeneity, and subgroup analyses examined temporal trends, regional differences, and healthcare settings. Meta-regression explored sources of heterogeneity for both severity and case fatality rate, adjusting for study year, region, and setting. Results We included a total of 19 study reports. The pooled severity rate among 3,280 confirmed cases was 39.47% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.11–50.86). Case fatality rates (CFRs) were 1.70% (95% CI 0.72–3.95) among 3152 suspected cases and 2.46% (95% CI 0.65–8.85) for 2239 confirmed cases. Meta-regression revealed that study year, region and setting were significant sources of heterogeneity of case fatality rates among confirmed mpox cases. Conclusion Mpox continues to impose a substantial burden in the DRC, with a high severity and moderate mortality rates. Targeted interventions, including vaccination in high-risk areas, community education, and healthcare system strengthening are warranted.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon;",
    "MRCG at LSHTM, Banjul, The Gambia;",
    "Higher Institute of Medical Techniques, Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo;",
    "Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados;",
    "Field Coordinator Frontline Field Epidemiology Training Program, Bangui, Central African Republic;",
    "Division of Health Policy and Research, Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, Yaounde, Cameroon;",
    "Division of Vaccination, Department of Family Health, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon;",
    "Department of Family Health, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon;",
    "Rosiere Higher School of Health Sciences, Yaounde, Cameroon;",
    "Public Health Operations Coordination Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon;",
    "Department of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK"
  ],
  "article_type": "review",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 16,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Fabrice Zobel Lekeumo Cheuyem",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-4047-8829"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Armel Zemsi",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0363-8953"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Jonathan Hangi Ndungo",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-0243-4416"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Chabeja Achangwa",
      "orcid": "0009-0008-0833-6840"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        4
      ],
      "name": "Davy Romeo Takpando-le-grand"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Jessy Goupeyou-Youmsi",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3489-6645"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        5
      ],
      "name": "Solange Dabou",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-6150-809X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mohamadou Adama",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-2469-8909"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ariane Nouko",
      "orcid": "0009-0005-9957-0453"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        6
      ],
      "name": "Marie Angèle Mbang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        7
      ],
      "name": "Edwige Omona Guissana",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3593-022X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        8
      ],
      "name": "Rick Tchamani",
      "orcid": "0009-0003-4531-1531"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        9
      ],
      "name": "Vanessa Monique Mballa Assiene"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ethel Ambo Eno",
      "orcid": "0009-0007-9834-2904"
    },
    {
      "name": "Constantine Tanywe Asahngwa",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9251-3422"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        10
      ],
      "name": "Saralees Nadarajah",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0481-0372"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/929en1xsrryqt.bib",
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  "doi": "10.1186/s42269-026-01457-0",
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  "id": "929en1xsrryqt",
  "issns": [
    "1110-0591",
    "2522-8307"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-026-01457-0",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
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  "pdf_url": "https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42269-026-01457-0.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-07-01",
  "publisher": "Springer Science+Business Media",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/929en1xsrryqt.ris",
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      "first_seen": "2026-11-11T13:20:30Z",
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      "origin": "openalex:2406|Poxvirus research and outbreaks",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
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  "title": "Mpox severity and mortality in the DRC: a systematic review and meta-analysis (1970–2024)",
  "title_text": "Mpox severity and mortality in the DRC: a systematic review and meta-analysis (1970–2024)",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-11T13:20:30Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/929en1xsrryqt",
  "venue": "Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center",
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}