Congo gold-mining town is mpox hot spot as new strain spreads

Emile Miango, 2, who has mpox, lies in the hospital, on Sept. 4, 2024, in Kamituga, South Kivu province, which is the epicenter of the world’s latest outbreak of the disease in eastern Congo. Olivier Lamec and Divine Wisoba walk by the grave of their daughter Maombi on Sept. 3, 2024, in Kamituga, South Kivu province, in eastern Congo. The town of Kamituga, in South Kivu province in eastern Congo, considered the epicenter of the world's latest outbreak of mpox, is seen on Sept. 5, 2024. Atumisi Anaclet treats a sex worker with mpox on Sept. 4, 2024, in a hospital in Kamituga, in eastern Congo's South Kivu province. Gold miners at work on Sept. 5, 2024, in Kamituga in eastern Congo's South Kivu province.

Slumped on the ground over a mound of dirt, Divine Wisoba pulled weeds from her daughter's grave. The 1-month-old died from mpox in eastern Congo in August, but Wisoba, 21, was too traumatized to attend the funeral.