Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): Environmental and Health Drivers of Mpox Transmission in Endemic Regions

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) has re-emerged as a significant public health concern in several regions of Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the disease remains endemic. The Tshuapa Province—especially the Lingomo, Djolu, and Bokungu health zones—continues to experience recurrent outbreaks, underscoring the urgent need to better understand the local drivers of transmission.

This issue focuses on the identification and analysis of environmental, socio-ecological, and health-system factors that favor the transmission of Mpox in Tshuapa Province. The region’s dense forest ecosystems, reliance on bushmeat, close human–animal interactions, limited access to healthcare, and inadequate disease surveillance systems may collectively contribute to sustained transmission and delayed outbreak response.

Environmental factors such as climate variability, land-use changes, deforestation, wildlife reservoirs, and sanitation conditions are believed to play a critical role in shaping Mpox transmission dynamics. At the same time, health-related factors—including community awareness, health-seeking behavior, vaccination history, diagnostic capacity, infection prevention practices, and health infrastructure—significantly influence both the spread and containment of the disease.

This issue invites empirical studies, surveillance reports, epidemiological analyses, and policy-oriented research that examine how these environmental and health determinants interact to drive Mpox transmission in Lingomo, Djolu, and Bokungu. Contributions that integrate local context, community perspectives, and One Health approaches are particularly encouraged.

By advancing evidence-based understanding of Mpox transmission in Tshuapa Province, this issue aims to inform targeted public health interventions, strengthen outbreak preparedness, and support sustainable disease control strategies in the DRC and similar endemic settings.