*Fatshimetrie*
A new and aggressive strain of the potentially deadly mpox virus is spreading rapidly among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi, with the number of cases more than doubling since a public health emergency was declared in mid-August, according to Save the Children.
The rapidly spreading clade 1b strain has disproportionately affected children in the DRC – the epicentre of the outbreak – and Burundi, where they face severe health risks due to hunger, displacement and limited healthcare. These two countries account for 92% of all mpox cases in Africa this year.
As of 3 November, the number of cases among children in the DRC had increased by more than 130%, from approximately 11,300 suspected cases to 25,600, while in Burundi, mpox has increased from 89 confirmed cases among children to approximately 1,100 since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on 14 August.
The overall risk to the population in the DRC and Burundi remains particularly high, but especially to children, who are nearly four times more likely to die from the new strain of mpox than adults. Malnourished children in areas with poor sanitation and limited health care, without access to testing and vaccines, are at even greater risk of contracting and dying from the virus.
MPOS causes fever, rash and lesions all over the body, severe headaches and fatigue. Some children develop breathing problems and, in severe cases, MPOS can lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal response to the infection.
According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of suspected and confirmed cases of MPOS across the African continent has exceeded 46,000 this year, with more than 1,000 deaths.
“Children are particularly vulnerable to mpox: they explore through touch and taste, do not always understand health recommendations, and have weaker immune systems than adults. They need timely information to protect themselves, and parents need support to get immediate care if they become ill. Addressing children’s anxieties and fears about the outbreak and disruptions to daily life is essential. By promoting supportive preventive practices, we can help children feel safe and prevent any form of discrimination from taking hold.”
While the global mpox outbreak in 2022 has been contained through targeted vaccinations for vulnerable groups, similar actions are urgently needed to curb the spread among high-risk communities, particularly in the DRC. This includes comprehensive testing and awareness campaigns on MPOX and vaccine availability.
Across the DRC, Save the Children is working with communities to disseminate accurate information and counter misinformation, both in person and through mass communication channels. In eastern DRC, our teams are providing medications and isolation tents, beds and bed linen for health centers, personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers, and training leaders on community engagement, communication, and alert systems to identify and report suspected cases.
In Burundi, Save the Children is working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Emergency Response (COUSP) to strengthen the country’s health system and respond to the MPOX outbreak. Efforts are focused on reducing the spread of MPOX, particularly among vulnerable refugee populations, and building local health capacity to effectively manage the outbreak. Save the Children’s Emergency Health Unit has deployed additional specialists in clinical care, operations, and water and sanitation to work alongside Burundi’s Ministry of Health, ensuring resources and expertise are in place to contain the spread and protect at-risk communities.