Skills and knowledge of clinical veterinarians regarding monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Monkeypox, an Orthopoxvirus zoonosis, is caused by a virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus. This emerging zoonotic disease represents a growing threat to public health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other regions. Given the zoonotic nature of this disease, veterinarians play a crucial role in its detection, management, prevention, and surveillance. Assessing the skills and knowledge of these professionals is therefore essential to identify gaps and strengthen the response to zoonotic diseases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and skills of clinical veterinarians in the DRC regarding specific zoonotic diseases such as monkeypox.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and skills of clinical veterinarians in the DRC concerning Mpox. Semi-structured questionnaires were distributed via Google Forms. Data were collected from 79 clinical veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Medical Association of Congo, across 14 provinces of the DRC. The study was conducted between September and October 2024.

Results: The majority of respondents were male (85%) and aged between 30 and 50 years. Most of the surveyed veterinarians had at least five years of professional experience. Regarding the knowledge of transmission routes, 93.7% of participants were aware of them, and 93.3% were familiar with the symptoms of the disease. The most frequently cited diagnostic methods included molecular analyses and clinical signs evaluation.

Conclusion: Although the overall level of knowledge about monkeypox among clinical veterinarians is high, most of them have never received specific training on the management of this disease. Clinical symptoms, transmission routes, and the most affected species are generally well known. However, very few veterinarians participate in epidemiological surveillance programs for monkeypox in the DRC. Classical preventive measures such as hygiene and disinfection, isolation of suspected cases, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) remain effective in combating the spread of Mpox.