From 3 to 5 December 2025, the Mpox: State of the Art Symposium was held in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo). During the event, FCRM, Scientific Coordinator of the Mpox-Probe project, delivered a presentation entitled ”Assessment of Mpox Virus Exposure Among Individuals Living in Rural Areas in the
North of the Republic of Congo”.

Poster Summary

A study conducted in rural communities of northern Republic of Congo found evidence of past Monkeypox virus (MPXV) exposure among asymptomatic individuals. While no active infections were detected by molecular testing, 20.6% of tested samples showed MPXV-specific IgG antibodies, suggesting silent virus circulation or residual immunity.

Conclusion

These findings suggest silent MPXV circulation or residual immune responses in these communities despite the absence of clinical symptoms, highlighting the importance of integrating molecular and serological tools in surveillance to better understand MPXV dynamics and guide targeted public health interventions in endemic regions.

Below the poster presented at the conference: