Burundi’s health ministry confirmed on Thursday that the country has recorded 171 cases of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, since the first cases were reported last month.
Health ministry spokesperson Polycarpe Ndayikeza reported that of the 171 confirmed cases, 137 remain active. He noted that there have been no deaths attributed to mpox in Burundi thus far.
Mpox, an infectious disease caused by a virus transmitted from animals to humans and through close human contact, was first detected in Burundi in late July. By August 18, the number of confirmed cases had risen to 153.
The health ministry acknowledged that the epidemic is spreading, and efforts are underway to establish isolation wards in district hospitals for mpox patients. The recent cases appear to be linked to the “new variant” observed in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
This new strain, Clade 1b, has led to a significant increase in cases and is associated with a 3.6% fatality rate, particularly affecting children, according to the World Health Organization. The outbreak has also been reported in the DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, as well as parts of Asia and Europe.
