Mpox cases in Burundi are rapidly rising, with children under 19 making up two-thirds of infections. UNICEF is working with WHO and local authorities to combat the outbreak and protect children as schools reopen.

Axar.az reports that children in Burundi are facing severe health impacts from the mpox outbreak, with infection rates showing alarming increases. According to UNICEF's Regional Health Advisor for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr. Paul Ngwakum, two-thirds of the nearly 600 reported cases are among children under 19, and the number of cases has escalated by more than 40% in the past three weeks. Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, spreads through close contact and can sometimes be transmitted from infected animals to people. Of particular concern is the rise in mpox cases among children under 5, representing 30% of all reported cases. This has led to a growing need for urgent and targeted interventions, especially as schools in Burundi reopened on September 16.

UNICEF is playing a crucial role in addressing the outbreak, working alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other partners to lead the response. Their efforts focus on risk communication, infection prevention, and providing mental health support to parents and frontline workers. There is significant online misinformation surrounding the mpox outbreak, and families affected by the virus are facing stigma and fears reminiscent of previous health crises, such as Ebola and COVID-19. UNICEF is also collaborating with Burundi's Ministry of Education to implement health measures in schools, train staff to recognize early symptoms, and reinforce hand hygiene to protect children from the virus while ensuring minimal disruptions to their education.

Across Africa, the mpox situation remains concerning, with WHO reporting over 25,000 suspected cases and 723 deaths in 2024 alone. The majority of these cases have been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Nigeria. In the Congo alone, 21,835 suspected cases and 717 deaths have been recorded. While the situation is evolving, UNICEF emphasizes that much remains unknown about this new strain of the virus, and more information is being gathered daily on its transmission. Despite the challenges, efforts are underway to ensure that children in Burundi and across Africa are safe and continue to receive an education amid the outbreak.