Bujumbura – Burundi has reported its first three cases of mpox in the capital city and a nearby town, the health ministry announced on Thursday.
The viral infection, confirmed by both local and World Health Organization laboratory tests, has affected two individuals in Bujumbura and one in Isare, approximately 30 kilometers away.
Health Minister Lydwine Baradahana assured the public that the patients are recovering in medical facilities and that their contacts are being monitored closely. While the specific mpox variant has not been disclosed, the ministry has initiated measures to contain the disease.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi’s neighbor, has a long history of mpox outbreaks, with a new, more virulent strain emerging last year. The virus spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and a painful rash. While most cases are mild, the infection can be fatal.
A less severe form of mpox circulated globally in 2022, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency, which has since been lifted. However, the agency continues to monitor the situation and considers mpox a significant public health threat.
