A surge of mpox cases has hit Burundi, alarming health officials and prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the situation as a public health emergency of international concern. This decision, made recently amid reports of new, more contagious strains of the virus, like Clade 1b, signals the need for urgent action not only from Burundi but also from neighboring nations.
On August 22, 2024, Burundian Health Minister Polycarpe Ndayikeza announced the confirmation of 171 mpox cases within the country, which has seen cases rising after the first infections were reported last month. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains the epicenter of this outbreak, with staggering figures of 16,700 cases and over 570 deaths recorded this year alone.
At the frontline of this battle is the King Khaled Teaching Hospital located in Bujumbura, Burundi’s economic capital. Here, patients like Samuel Nduwimana share their harrowing experiences. Nduwimana described how he felt severely sick, losing his appetite, developing fever, and suffering from painful lesions before he finally sought medical help. "I didn't even know what I was suffering from," he recalled. His symptoms escalated with time, prompting him to rush to the hospital.
Burundi's health authorities are scrambling to contain the outbreak. Dr. Odette Nsavyimana, treating patients at the hospital, indicated the severity of cases, with some patients entering the facility with temperatures soaring to 39 degrees Celsius. The disease has been known to cause “very painful and itchy lesions” demanding immediate attention.
The situation is dire, especially as case numbers have spread from the border areas with the DRC to places all over Burundi. With the surge of cases, the hospital struggles to cope with the influx; at times, medical tents have been set up outside the hospital to accommodate the growing number of patients seeking care.
Health officials are working fast to isolate and treat the patients as quickly as possible. Liliane Nkengurutse, the national director for the Centre for Public Health Emergency Operations, noted, "We still don’t have any deaths; we’re lucky enough to be able to detect cases quickly and take care of them early." This is encouraging, as the early detection and rapid response can make all the difference.
Meanwhile, neighboring regions like Kenya and Uganda are also grappling with the threat of mpox. Kenya reported its second case shortly after Burundi’s confirmation, and Uganda registered four cases to date. The WHO’s declaration of this outbreak as a global health emergency reflects the urgency with which officials are approaching the situation.
Interestingly, the broader response strategy to this current mpox crisis hinges on lessons learned from past outbreaks. Oyewale Tomori, a distinguished virology professor, emphasizes the importance of proper funding for disease surveillance and the necessity of creating conducive environments for health workers. African nations have experienced various disease epidemics over the years, including Ebola and yellow fever, and they have accumulated invaluable expertise to combat similar threats.
Effective responses have thrived on several key strategies: heightened surveillance for early detection, rapid laboratory confirmations, and community engagement. Notably, during the Ebola epidemic between 2014 and 2016, Nigeria managed to nip the outbreak quickly, showcasing the power of coordinated responses and efficient communication.
Despite past experiences, there are significant gaps hindering swift action against mpox. According to Tomori, African governments need to bolster their financial commitments to public health and create streamlined systems for disease surveillance. The reality remains grim for countries lacking adequate funding, which leads to delayed responses, often exacerbated by the lack of effective diagnostic capabilities.
The WHO has been clear about its strategic framework for managing mpox, encouraging countries to immediately integrate responses involving surveillance, testing, treatment, and vaccination with existing health programs. The emphasis is on collective action and community involvement: education and communication are pivotal for affected populations, considering misinformation and misunderstandings about the disease linger.
Serious concerns exist about the outbreak’s sustainability and possible transition to endemic status if not effectively addressed. The current strain of mpox appears to spread primarily through human contact, mainly during close interactions, which poses added risks, especially when public awareness is low. The complex socio-economic realities mean individuals may continue with their normal activities even when aware of nearby cases.
Community feedback reflects this severity of misunderstanding. Many citizens, when asked about mpox and its ramifications, displayed confusion about its significance, citing they had seen more online than they understood. Some voiced concerns, stating they feared for their families but felt compelled to go about their daily lives to make ends meet.
Dr. Liliane Nkengurutse is aware of this difficulty; she stated, “Many people do not understand the gravity of this issue. Even where there have been cases, people still just mingle.” Such statements highlight the challenge of ingraining preventative health behavior in various communal settings.
Meanwhile, the mEgg unavailability of vaccines remains another pressing concern. Public health officials are strategizing on how best to distribute potential vaccines and treatments when they become available. Nkengurutse indicated the urgent need for approximately 14 million dollars to improve their response capacity against mpox, with hopes to begin vaccination efforts soon.
Until vaccinations roll out, managing immediate patient care and prevention remains pivotal. Officials and health practitioners urge anyone experiencing symptoms to seek timely medical attention, to reduce the spread at its embryonic stages. Besides, the treatment centers provide free care, alleviating financial burdens for the infected.
The grim stories of patients like Nduwimana, who spoke candidly about the intense pain associated with mpox, bring humanity to the statistics. His message resonates strongly: "They need to rush to hospital for treatment. This epidemic is very serious; it hurts a lot, and you don’t know what to do." Such calls for recognition only underline the need for more awareness and prompt action as Burundi battles the growing crisis of mpox.
