Monkeypox. Burundi the most affected

Children and adolescents under 20 represent almost 60% of detected cases, while children under 5 represent 21%.

Burundi is the African country that is recording the highest number of infections in the entire region. As of August 20, 2024, 170 confirmed cases of Mpox (the acronym that identifies the so-called monkeypox) have been detected in 26 of the 49 districts of the country. Children and adolescents under the age of 20 make up nearly 60% of detected cases, while children under 5 account for 21% of cases. In short, as always, it is the most vulnerable and poorest people who are at the center of this growing epidemic in eastern and southern Africa. As reported by UNICEF, more than 200 confirmed cases have been detected in five countries (Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa).

The new variant of the Mpox virus. It is called clade Ib and has been identified in all affected countries except South Africa, and is of concern about its potential for transmission to wider age groups, particularly young children. Burundi is the most affected country at the moment with 170 confirmed cases: 45.3% are women. Risks to children in Burundi are greater due to the simultaneous occurrence of measles outbreaks due to poor routine childhood immunization and high rates of malnutrition. While the response is ongoing, the country continues to face multiple challenges, including shortages of diagnostic kits and drugs, low community awareness, high operational costs and the risk of disruption to essential health services.

It is now a serious threat. “The new Mpox strain – says UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli – represents a serious threat to vulnerable children and families. In addition to immediate life-saving response, risk communication efforts and cross-border collaboration, investments in overall health system strengthening, continuity of essential services and focused attention on programs that support the overall well-being of people need to be prioritized. children”.

The secondary impacts of the disease. In addition to the direct effects of the disease, concerns remain about the secondary impacts of Mpox outbreaks on children and adolescents, including stigma, discrimination, and disruptions to schooling and learning. For women and girls, the risk/threat of gender-based violence (including sexual abuse and exploitation) remains high, as their care burden includes caring for ill family members and supporting basic needs for the survival of their families, as seen in previous public health emergencies.

The experiences that teach. Based on experiences gained during responses to the HIV, COVID-19 and Ebola epidemics, a collective effort is needed to prioritize survivor support plans, combat stigma and facilitate the continuity of basic social services, particularly learning and reintegration of children into school and the community. In addition to the immediate concerns posed by the virus, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda are grappling with multiple emergencies, including droughts and floods.

fonte: La Repubblica