Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has taken center stage as it spreads rapidly across the globe, with particularly alarming incidents reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighboring countries, including Burundi. Recent weeks have witnessed significant rises in confirmed cases, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the situation a global health emergency for the second time within two years.
At the forefront of the latest outbreak is Burundi, where the caseload has surged dramatically. Currently, more than 170 mpox cases have been confirmed, primarily affecting areas near the DRC border, known as "hot zones". Among those infected is Egide Irambona, who shared his painful experience of living with the disease. According to Irambona, he suffered from incredibly painful swollen lymph nodes, which at one point left him unable to sleep. Irambona recounted, "At first, I thought it was just some blisters, and then I realized it was more serious. Thankfully, our seven children show no signs of infection."
The outbreak is primarily driven by the new Clade 1b strain of the virus, which is markedly more transmissible and poses greater health risks compared to earlier variants. This clade has been linked to cases spreading through close contact, highlighting the need for heightened caution, particularly within communal spaces where physical contact is commonplace.
Medical professionals like Dr. Odette Nsavyimana, who oversees one of the main treatment centers at King Khaled Teaching Hospital, have described the current healthcare challenges. Dr. Nsavyimana stated, "We are now setting up tents outside to cope with the increasing number of patients. The situation is quite concerning, especially when children are among those affected." She also noted the limitation of hospital resources, stressing the importance of isolative measures to curtail the spread.
Typical symptoms of mpox can include fever, chills, body aches, and the characteristic lesions. Those affected have spoken of suffering from painful, itchy lesions making everyday tasks extremely challenging. One patient, Samuel Nduwimana, described his physical ordeal: "I started to lose my appetite, had fever, and then I noticed painful spots on my genitals. I initially thought it was malaria, but things quickly worsened."
Health officials are currently working to increase public awareness about the disease's symptoms and modes of transmission, but efforts have encountered hurdles. Many residents of Bujumbura, the capital city, do not adequately comprehend the dangers associated with mpox, even as the disease spreads within their community. "I’ve heard about this disease, but I’ve never seen anyone suffer from it. I only see it on social media," one resident remarked, highlighting the knowledge gap among the populace.
Compounding the crisis is the lack of resources and infrastructure. Burundi struggles with inadequate access to clean water and medical supplies, and only one laboratory exists for diagnostic testing across the entire country, severely hindering timely interventions. Dr. Liliane Nkengurutse, the national director for the Centre for Public Health Emergency Operations, expressed her concerns, stating, "We need approximately $14 million to effectively manage and control this outbreak. Without these funds, our response efforts are hampered significantly."
Neighboring countries like Kenya and Uganda have also reported cases of Clade 1b mpox, which raises fears of overwhelming their healthcare systems as well. For example, Kenya confirmed its first case at the end of July, fueling health officials' anxieties about the potential for widespread outbreaks across East Africa.
Burundi's proximity to the DRC exacerbates the situation. The DRC has recorded over 16,700 mpox cases and nearly 570 deaths so far this year, painting a grim picture of the outbreak's severity. It is clear from the continuous increase of cases both regionally and globally, mpox presents serious risks for previously unaffected nations.
To combat this outbreak, health authorities are focusing on swift identification, isolation, and treatment of new cases, leveraging facilities like the King Khaled Hospital known for providing free treatment. Dr. Nkengurutse emphasized, "We still don’t have any deaths reported because we’ve been able to detect and treat cases early, but the rising numbers are concerning."
Despite the grim reality, some patients express gratitude for the medical care they’ve received. "The treatment is free, and it helps us recover from this painful disease," Nduwimana said, signaling the importance of healthcare support during such difficult times.
Looking forward, health officials and international organizations are calling for increased cooperation and funding to bolster healthcare readiness and response, not just within Burundi but also throughout the surrounding region to stem the burgeoning outbreak of mpox. Public education campaigns about the disease's risks and preventive measures will also play a pivotal role as communities work together to curb its spread.
