‘Expanding Outbreak’ of Mpox Cases in African Country

The East African nation of Burundi has seen a surge in Monkeypox (mpox) infections, with children and adolescents accounting for a major share of those affected, according to UNICEF.
“The new variant of the mpox virus (clade 1b) has been identified in all affected countries except South Africa, which is causing concern due to its potential for wider transmission across age groups, particularly young children,” the agency said.
“Burundi is reporting the highest number of infections across the region. As of 20 August 2024, 170 confirmed Mpox cases have been detected across 26 out of the 49 districts in the country, of whom 45.3 percent are female.”
Children and adolescents below the age of 20 comprise almost 60 percent of the cases in Burundi, with those below the age of five making up 21 percent of infections.
UNICEF said the risks posed by clade 1b mpox are heightened for children in Burundi as there is a simultaneous outbreak of measles in the region.
The country is facing multiple challenges in combating the disease, including low community awareness, a shortage of diagnostic test kits and medications, and high operational costs.
Etleva Kadilli, the UNICEF regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa, called the new strain of mpox a “serious threat to vulnerable children and families.”
“In the fight against the Mpox outbreak, prioritizing the needs of children is not just necessary—it’s urgent,” he said. “Their heightened vulnerability requires that we dedicate our full attention and resources to ensure their protection and well-being in this critical response phase.”
The global mpox outbreak that began in 2022 was caused by the clade 2 variant. Until the beginning of August, no cases of clade 1 mpox had been detected outside of the African continent.
This changed on Aug. 15 when Swedish authorities reported a case of clade 1 infection in that country.
The individual got infected while staying in an African country “where there is a large ongoing outbreak of mpox clade I,” Olivia Wigzell, director-general of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, told reporters in a briefing.
Symptoms of mpox can include high temperature, joint pain, backache, shivering, swollen glands, headaches, and muscle aches.
The country has so far reported 13 mpox cases this year, all of which have been the less severe clade 2 strains.
Individuals coming from nations with confirmed mpox cases and who have been exposed to the virus or have symptoms like fever, headache, back pain, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes are required to declare their condition to customs authorities when entering China.
“Customs officers will implement medical measures and conduct sampling and testing in accordance with the prescribed procedures,” it said.
“Additionally, contaminated or potentially contaminated vehicles, containers, and goods from countries and regions where mpox cases have been reported will be sanitized according to prescribed procedures.”