Research Snapshot: The role of recovered mpox patients in outbreak response

The role of people directly affected with disease in strengthening outbreak response has been explored in previous Ebola and HIV epidemics. Yet, recovered patients were not integrated into the mpox response before this project. Pakadjuma is a densely populated informal settlement in Kinshasa, characterised by extreme poverty, high population mobility, and recurrent epidemics. Identified as the epicentre of the mpox outbreak in late 2024, the area faced significant challenges relating to stigma, mistrust, and access to care.

This mixed methods action research in Pakadjuma, Kinshasa’s mpox epicentre, showed that recovered patients played a crucial role in supporting outbreak response: conveying public health messaging to marginalised people at risk of mpox, and leading community initiatives that supported livelihoods.

During the mpox outbreak in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in late 2024, this project, PAKAMPOX, demonstrated that recovered patients can become effective public health ambassadors when formally recognised, collectively organised, and supported by local health authorities. Findings show that community centred, recovered-patient-led approaches enhance outbreak response while enhancing patients’ agency and resilience.

This snapshot contains key messages, findings, implications for humanitarian policymakers and practitioners and recommendations for further research.